POLICE have confirmed that a body found in a search operation in North Yorkshire on Wednesday is that of missing woman Barbara Colling.

An intensive search operation to locate Mrs Colling from Helmsley, has been ongoing since she disappeared about a fortnight ago. She was last seen on Monday, January 28 after setting out on a walk near Abbotts Hagg, near Rievaulx.

A large operation was launched to search woods and moorland around Helmsley and in the Rievaulx area.

North Yorkshire Police and mountain rescue teams ran a joint search, aided by members of the public, in an attempt to find the 68-year-old retired teacher, who suffered dementia.

Her body was found by a member of the public at 10.45am yesterday (Wednesday, February 13).

A spokesman for the police said: "Although formal identification has taken place, the inquest is not expected to be opened and adjourned until early next week.”