A TEENAGER has been found dead in the North York Moors.

North Yorkshire Police said it received a call at around 8.30pm yesterday regarding the welfare of a teenage boy from Egton.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police explained: "An immediate search of areas around Egton and Whitby took place in a bid to locate the 17-year-old.

"To assist in the search for the boy a number of inquiries at local venues which the boy had connections to were carried out.

"At around 10.20pm the boy was located at Blakey Ridge in Castleton.

"He was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin has been informed."

His death is currently being treated as "unexplained", the spokesman added.

A scene guard is in place whilst inquiries are completed.