POLICE are working closely with the family of a missing 36-year-old man after a body was found near a community centre.

The remains of a man were discovered by a dog walker near Ainderby Walk, in the Central Estate area of Hartlepool, at about 7pm on Wednesday.

Darren Waller went missing from his home in Hartlepool on Sunday, January 9, and has not been seen since.

A police cordon was erected around the site while officers in white suits carried out a painstaking search of the area before the body could be removed.

Police confirmed there was no link between the discovery of the body and an incident in the town where a 58-year-old man blew himself up on the same day.

Detective Superintendent Gordon Lang said: “We are keen to progress the inquiry.

“However, the recovery may well take some time as it will require experts in various disciplines and needs to be done slowly and methodically.

“We are conscious of the long-running inquiry into the disappearance of Darren Waller, but are unable to confirm it is him.

“We are supporting Mr Waller’s family at this time.”

Last month, police and members of the Cleveland Search and Rescue Team searched the town’s dilapidated Steetley site, a former magnesium works, hoping to find Mr Waller, but without success.

Mr Waller’s three daughters, Kayleigh, 16, Ellie, eight, and Leah, five, and his former wife and close friend, Lisa Gleaves, have made repeated pleas for his safe return.

They made an emotional appearance on a recent BBC programme Missing 2011 to locate him.

Mr Waller, who was last seen in the Foggy Furze area of the town, is 5ft 8in, white, with a shaved head and tattoos on his hands and arms.

He was last seen wearing a blue sweater, dark blue jeans and trainers and had an earring in his left ear.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01642- 326326.