A BODY has been recovered in the search for a missing man.

North Yorkshire Police searching for missing 74-year-old walker David McCartney say a body was discovered by a farmer in the Coverhead area late this morning (October 25).

Officers attended a short time later, along with mountain rescue and the body was recovered.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Although formal identification has not been confirmed at this stage, officers believe the body to be that of David McCartney.

"Mr McCartneys family have been informed of this news and are currently being supported. A post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death. Officers believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death."

Police were called last Monday (October 18) when David McCartney did not return home from a lone walking expedition. In the following days there was an extensive search, involving police, the national police air support service, mountain rescue and the RAF.

Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance with sharing the appeals to find David.