TRIBUTES have been paid to an “exceptional” doctor who has died at the age of 67.

Dr Andrew Stanford, a father of three, had worked at the Posterngate surgery in Selby for 27 years before retiring seven years ago.

Its practice manager, Jacqueline Roe, said: “On behalf of all the staff here, we would like to pass our condolences to Dr Stanford’s wife, Margaret, and all his family.

“He was an exceptional person and doctor and a gentleman in every sense of the word.

“He cared for all his patients and was a very compassionate, loving and caring man.

“He was a missionary who did a lot of work overseas in Africa – he wanted to help everyone.

“That is the kind of man he was. We are deeply shocked and saddened by his death.”

A search was launched for Dr Stanford in his home village of Riccall, near Selby, after he was reported missing, and police carried out house-to-house inquiries. Dr Stanford had last been seen by his wife on Wednesday morning.

Police said yesterday afternoon that a man’s body had been found.

They said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.