POLICE searching for a missing man near Thirsk have found a body.

North Yorkshire Police said Andrew Thornton, 64, was reported missing from his home in Husthwaite at around 9.40pm last night.

"Specialist police teams, including a helicopter and police dogs, worked with search and rescue teams from Scarborough and Wharfedale to conduct an extensive search," said a spokesman.

York Press:

Rescue workers on the scene

"Police found Mr Thornton’s vehicle at Thornton Bridge last night. At around 8am this morning, a man’s body was found in the River Swale, around a quarter of a mile from Thornton Bridge."

He said the man was pronounced dead at the scene by medics, adding: "A formal identification has yet to take place, but Mr Thornton’s family has been informed and are receiving support from specially-trained officers."