POLICE investigaing the disappearance of a Polish farmhand have tonight confirmed that a body found hanging in woods is that of her brother.

Earlier, officers admitted the chances of Danuta Domagalska being found alive are slim.

The mother-of-one has not been seen since August 6.

Her brother, Piotr Lawnkiczak, has also been missing, but tonight police said a body found hanging in woodland at a farm in Walworth Gate, near Darlington, was his.

Search teams have been scouring the land surrounding New Moor Farm since the woman's disappearance.

Yesterday, detectives found the body of a man hanging from a tree in a densely wooded field near the farm entrance.

Det Supt Adrian Green, of Durham Police, said tonight: “Police can confirm that the body of a man found hanging in a wooded area close to New Moor Farm, Walworth Gate, on Wednesday afternoon has now been positively identified as that of Piotr Lawnkzak, aged 31-years.

“He is the brother of Danuta Domagalska, aged 27, an employee at the farm who has been missing since Saturday, August 6.”

He added: "Our efforts will continue to find Danuta but I have to be realistic and accept the chances of her still being alive are very slim.

"We are continuing to talk to her husband as we piece together her movements in the days leading up to her disappearance."

The alarm was raised when managers at the farm noticed Mrs Domagalska had been missing from work for a few days.

Her husband Marcin told police his brother-in-law had explained her absence by saying Mrs Domagalska was working long hours.

That has since proved to be false, and police were extremely concerned for her welfare.

Detectives said Mr Domagalski was being treated as a witness.

The couple lived with Mr Lawniczak in a cottage close to the farm where the missing woman worked and where both men had been previously employed.

The couple have a five-year-old son who is cared for by his grandmother in Poland.

Officers have drained ponds and slurry pits on the farm and the intensive search was expected to last several more days.

Police have issued images of the popular, friendly and well-liked employee working in the milking parlour which were taken the day before she was last seen.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest will open in due course.

Piotr Lawniczak's wife and family in Poland have been informed of the development.

Anyone with information which could help the investigation should contact the incident room on 0345 6060 365 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.