A BODY has been discovered in the search for missing man Stephen Mead.

At around 12.15pm on Saturday, a member of a search and rescue team found a man's body in the River Rye on Snilesworth Moor.

His family have been informed.

The 53-year-old was head gardener for Lord and Lady Mexborough at Arden Hall.

He was last seen at 8.40pm on Tuesday, January 31, walking in woodlands surrounding the Hall, near Hawnby, in the Helmsley area of North Yorkshire. 

North Yorkshire Police initially called in Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team during the early hours of Wednesday.

Saturday's operation involved more than 70 mountain rescue personnel from teams across the North-East as well as seven specially trained mountain rescue search dogs.

All the woodland and tracks surrounding Arden Hall were searched to a distance of over four kilometres.

Also involved were the missing man’s friends and family and members of North Yorkshire Police.

A spokesman for Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team spokesman said: "We were supported today by over 70 mountain rescue volunteers from six neighbouring mountain rescue teams along with seven search dogs.

"Unfortunately one of the teams located a body, believed to be that of the missing man, at around 12.30pm in a remote woodland area just one two kilometres from the Hall.
"Our thoughts are with the man's friends and family."

Officers thanked the volunteer search and rescue teams who assisted , members of the public who offered help, and everyone who helped to publicise the appeal for information.