It was 14 years ago that Richey Edwards, guitarist with the Manic Street Preachers deserted his car by the Severn Bridge, leading many to make the assumption that he had taken his own life. With no body ever found and many dubious sightings reported from around the world, it was unlikely that anyone but Edwards would really ever know what happened.

Having resisted the official procedure for many years in the hope that he would one day return, his family have finally decided to have him declared dead. A missing person can legally be declared dead after seven years and now the family have decided to make the move as "an acceptance that his affairs have got to be sorted", although it's "not the same as an acceptance that he is dead".

Edwards has continued to be awarded his share of the Manics royalties over the years and has amassed an estate of £377,548 after death duties have been paid.

It has been reported that the next Manics album will feature only lyrics written and left by Edwards.