THE body of a missing 64-year-old man has been found in the River Swale after a major search operation.

Andrew Thornton was reported missing from his home in Husthwaite, near Thirsk, at around 9.40pm last night.

Specialist police teams, including a helicopter and police dogs, worked through the night with search and rescue teams from Scarborough and Wharfedale.

Police found Mr Thornton’s vehicle at Thornton Bridge, near Helperby, last night.

At around 8am this morning, a man’s body was found in the River Swale around a quarter of a mile from Thornton Bridge, which reopened last week following about two months of repair work.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene by medics.

Police closed the public footpath beside the river as the body was recovered, close to a derelict railway bridge.

A formal identification has yet to take place, but Mr Thornton’s family has been informed and are receiving support from specially-trained officers.

The Northern Echo: The river at Helperby, near Thirsk, where it is understood a man's body has been found