A SEARCH and rescue team hunting for a missing 77-year-old man has found a body.

Peter William Johnson, from the Cropton area of Pickering, had not been seen by neighbours for a couple of days and his family describe him to be in an increasingly confused state.

A spokesman from the Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team said a body was found on land to the north of Cropton, just south of Cropton Forest, at about 3pm today. 

The body has not been formally identified.

Due to his age and for medical reasons, Mr Johnson's disappearance has been treated as high-risk by the police.

A full search had involved specialist officers, search and rescue and a police helicopter. 

Roger Hartley, of Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, said members had searched until very late last night and resumed the search again first thing today.