A MAN’S body has been found in County Durham.

Police were called after receiving reports of a man's body in a wooded area near Abbey Bridge, near Barnard Castle, at 9.45am on Thursday.

The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service sent one appliance from Barnard Castle and two boats from Bishop Auckland to the scene while the North East Ambulance Service and the Fell and Mountain Rescue Service also attended.

However, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A police spokesman said the man’s death is being treated as non-suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.