THE relief in Selby and surrounding villages was almost tangible after residents heard the news that Mark Hobson had been found.

Father-of-four Scott Shooter, a long-time pal of Hobson, said: "I thank God it's all over. I'm glad for Mark's mother that he hasn't topped himself and, hopefully, he can now get some help."

Mr Shooter said police had moved two more of Mark's friends into his terraced council house, in Abbots Road, Selby, while Mark was missing.

He said: "Police told us not to leave the house. We haven't been out for a week now, apart from a bit of shopping.

"It's a big relief and I might be able to get some sleep now. One day I stayed up all night, thinking Mark might come here, but he never did."

Angie Roberts, 34, and her partner Gwyn Simpson, 25, who were long-time friends of Hobson, said they were mightily relieved.

Angie, a mother-of-four, of Hempbridge Close, Selby, said: "I'm just glad it's all over. I just hope that Mark gets himself sorted out."

Sarah Topps, is landlady at the Comus Inn, in Camblesforth, where Hobson was drinking the night before the twin sisters' bodies were found.

She has served Hobson with hundreds of pints of lager sincer he moved into the flat, in Camblesforth, with his girlfriend, Claire Sanderson. She said: "It's been very stressful because the pub has been open all the time - we can't lock the doors like other people.

"It's been an anxious and worrying time for everybody in the village."

Keith Duggan, who runs a mini-market in Camblesforth, served Hobson with cigarettes. He said: "The tension really got to some people."

Gwen McIntyre, manager and bouncer at the Royal Oak pub, in Ousegate, Selby, had her council house raided by police - just a few days after handing in the keys to the council. She said: "I know Mark and I'm just glad it's all over for everybody's sake."

Dean Priestley, 34, of Carr Street, Selby, has known Hobson for 15 years and worked with him at Drax Power Station, doing industrial cleaning work.

He said: "Mark being found is the best thing that could have happened. He can now get some help. Police armed response units have been round here on several occasions, raiding houses, and thankfully it's now over."

Selby District Council chairman Chris Pearson said: "I would like to congratulate North Yorkshire police and Chief Constable Della Cannings.

"Their determination and professionalism has paid off."

Updated: 07:42 Monday, July 26, 2004