A SEARCH and rescue team found a man in a cemetery after he had been missing for about 12 hours.

The 50-year-old, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, was seen leaving his home at 12.30pm on Friday.

He was reported missing by his carers at tea-time when a search was mounted by the police using dogs and a police spotter plane.

Police called out the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue team at about 10pm and 15 members started searching woods and open land around the town.

The man was found under a holly bush in the town cemetery just after midnight by two team members.

Team spokesman Steve Owers said: "Despite it being a very cold night the gentleman was conscious when we found him.

"He was brought to our base in Barnard Castle where he was reunited with his carers and warmed up, as he was suffering from slight hypothermia.

"He was then taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital by ambulance."