THE body of a woman has been found in a river during a search for a pensioner who went missing from her home.

Police searching for Patricia Blundell, 76, from Howsham, near Malton, North Yorkshire, were increasingly concerned for her welfare after she left her home at about midnight.

The body was found in the River Derwent, near Howsham, at about 4pm this afternoon.

It has not been formally identified, although a police spokesman said Mrs Blundell's family have been informed.

Specialist search teams had been searching for Mrs Blundell, who was said to be suffering from depression, after she was reported missing by her family.

Police searched searching farmland and outbuildings around the village of Howsham, and were assisted by the Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team and an RAF helicopter and search team.

Officers also took to the River Derwent with the help of the inshore lifeboat.

Earlier in the day officers had asked local people to search their gardens, sheds and outbuildings to check for any sign of Mrs Blundell.

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845-60-60-247, quoting reference NYP-18022011-0089.