A TEENAGER was found dead close to a North Yorkshire village.

The 17-year-old’s body was discovered at Blakey Ridge, Castleton following a search by the emergency services on Thursday night.

Concerns were raised over the welfare of the young man, with North Yorkshire Police launching an immediate investigation after receiving a call at around 8.30pm.

Officers searched around Egton and Whitby in a desperate bid to find the teenager, making a number of enquiries at venues around the area that he had connections to.

Sadly, the boy was found at around 10.20pm and pronounced dead at the scene, with his death currently being treated as unexplained.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said that the boy’s next of kin had been informed and that a scene guard remains in place as enquiries continue at the site of his death.

A resident of Castleton said police were stopping motorists attempting to travel through the village.

Expressing condolences to those affected by the tragedy, she said: "I saw the flashing lights and it caught my attention as we never get them here.

"They were parked just outside the garage on the high street and blocking anyone from driving past.

"I heard the police helicopter and could see it going over Blakey Ridge.

"It's horrible to hear that a teenager has been found, it makes me go cold to think about it."