A RESCUE team found a body which they believe to be a missing man.

In the early hours of Thursday, police alerted Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team (NNMRT) to find a male walker who had failed to turn up accommodation in Bellingham the night before.

The man, who was in his 60s, had intended to walk the Pennine Way from Housesteads to Bellingham.

A few hours later a body had been found by one of the search parties.

READ Corbridge Italian restaurant under new management

A spokesperson for the NNMRT said: "Linear routes including the Pennine Way and variations of were prioritised for vehicle and foot searches, with resources from North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and ourselves deployed accordingly.

"Sadly one of our search groups located a body believed to be that of the missing walker in an area of Wark Forest just off the Pennine Way

"A difficult incident for all our volunteers and a terribly sad outcome to what should have been a pleasant day’s walk along the Pennine Way.

"Our thoughts are with the walker’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

The incident involved 15 members for seven hours.