Updated: THE remains of a York man who went missing more than four years ago have been found in a tent in Scotland.

Victor Bell, of Tennent Road, Acomb, had not been seen since March 14, 2008, when he told his family he was going camping.

There had been reported sightings in Scotland in the first few months after he disappeared, but nothing since.

Police today confirmed that forensic tests had shown remains found on May 5, in woods about 50 miles north of Glasgow, were those of the York man.

Mr Bell, who was 39 when he disappeared, was a regular camper, but his family contacted police on July 11, 2008, after becoming concerned for his welfare. He had gone missing before, in April 2004.

His remains were found in remote woods between Tyndrum and Crianlarich, near the northern tip of Loch Lomond. The site was near the West Highland Way and the A82 road, North Yorkshire Police said.

A spokesman said: “Although Victor was a regular camper, his family reported him missing after several weeks when they became concerned about his lack of contact with them.

“North Yorkshire Police launched a missing person investigation at the time and focused on the Scottish countryside and wilderness, but sadly, no sightings of Victor were reported.”

Police are not treating his death as suspicious and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland.

When he went missing, Mr Bell was reportedly wearing straight-legged jeans, a black shower-proof coat, a green fishing hat, tan walking boots and had a black rucksack.

A number of witnesses reported speaking with a man carrying a rucksack and tent, needing somewhere to camp.

A spokeswoman for Central Scotland Police confirmed the remains to be those of Victor Bell, and confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Bell was born in York in March 1969 to Duncan Hamish Bell, a chicken factory worker, and Rose Marie Bell, and lived in Upper St Paul’s Terrace in Holgate and then Acomb growing up.

Dion Smith, whose sister Lisette Dugmore vanished just days before Mr Bell was reported missing, said: “Although it has ended as it has, at least the Bell family can have some peace of mind now and lay the body to rest.

“I offer my condolences to the family and my prayers and thoughts are with them at this time.”

The area around Crianlarich and Tyndrum is popular with walkers.