AN investigation has been launched after the body of a woman was discovered in a city centre property.

North Yorkshire Police said they were alerted at 4.50pm on Tuesday to concerns that the woman, in Kirkgate, Ripon, had not been seen since before the May Day bank holiday weekend.

A police spokeswoman said: "Officers attended the property where they sadly, found the body of a woman in her fifties.

"Her death is being treated as unexplained, pending the results of a post-mortem examination."

Traders in Kirkgate said a number of police and paramedics' vehicles were seen near the cathedral end of the cobbled street, but had remained unaware of why emergency services were there.