POLICE searching for missing North-East man have reported finding a body.

The alert was raised over the whereabouts of 34-year-old James Anthony Dunford, on Wednesday, and inquiries have been ongoing to locate him in his home area of Warkworth, near Amble, in mid-Northumberland.

Police appealed for help from the public to locate him but they have now confirmed that a body was found on Thursday.

Formal identification is yet to take place but police believe it to be Mr Dunford.

Specialist officers are said to be supporting his friends and family at such a difficult time.

Both the family and the Northumbria force have thanked members of the public who shared the appeal to try to find Mr Dunford.

There is not believed to be any third-party involvement and a report has now been prepared for the coroner.