A farmer who went missing for two nights in a remote area has been found safe and well.

An extensive search involving Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue volunteers and police was launched for North Yorkshire man Cliff Allen, 50, after he went missing near Selset Reservoir in Lunedale, Teesdale, County Durham, following a car accident on Tuesday evening.

Yesterday morning, Mr Allen's daughter called the police to say the father-of-two had returned to the family farm at Gayle, near Hawes.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "At the moment it is not known where Mr Allen has spent the last two nights or whether he was aware people had been trying to find him."

North Yorkshire Police visited Mr Allen and confirmed that he had returned, and police from Barnard Castle were due to speak to him about what happened after his vehicle crashed.

Sergeant Bob Danby, of Barnard Castle police, said: "We will be speaking to Mr Allen but, for the moment, we are relieved that he has appeared to have come to no harm."

Alan Best, team leader for Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue, said: "We're very relieved Mr Allen is safe and well.

"I hope to meet with him to find out where he found shelter.

"There were 28 searchers plus a police helicopter and I feel sure he moved away from the area. I'm very intrigued to find out where he spent the night."

Mr Allen was returning home after buying two sheep at St John's Chapel, County Durham, when his Land Rover hit a wall, at East Nettlepot Farm, on the B7276 Teesdale to Brough road, shortly after 6pm on Tuesday.

As paramedics tended to his injured passenger, Mr Allen wandered off towards the reservoir. The passenger was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, suffering minor injuries.