POLICE searching for a 22-year-old who went missing after a night out found a body in a river on Monday afternoon.

A major operation to find Luke Jobson, which involved dozens of volunteers, was launched in Yarm, Teesside, after he disappeared in the early hours of Saturday.

Cleveland Police said the body had not yet been identified but that his family had been informed and relatives were being supported by specially-trained officers.

The Northern Echo:

Police said one line of inquiry was that there had been an altercation outside the Keys pub in Yarm, and the force appealed for anyone with dashcam footage to contact them.

Cleveland Police said in a statement: "Police searching for missing 22-year-old Luke Jobson have sadly found a body in the river at Yarm this afternoon.

"Although formal identification has yet to take place, Luke's family has been notified and they are being kept updated while they receive support from specially-trained officers."

Over the weekend and into Monday, dozens of members of the public turned out to assist in the search.

Police officers focused on the area around Yarm School and at one point urged the public to keep away from the site as specially-trained officers did their work.

That did not deter well-wishers desperate to help from looking in other search sites and doing their best to help.

The Northern Echo:

Cleveland Mountain Rescue were also involved in the search.

A spokesman said: "We were contacted by Cleveland Police to assist with the ongoing search in Yarm and the surrounding area for a missing local man.

"We interrupted an ongoing training session and 32 team members attended to join in the search effort which was supported by Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England Search Dog Blythe with handler Paul from neighbouring Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team.

"Following the recovery of a body earlier today everyone at Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team wishes to let all the young man’s family and friends know that they are very much in our thoughts at this very difficult time."

Mr Jobson's family had asked for help in tracing him over the weekend and an appeal on Facebook had been shared more than 60,000 times.

His aunt wrote: "Luke needs to be found and needs to be home - FAST, he is 22, he wouldn't hurt a fly, he is popular, happy calm lad that needs to be found ASAP."

Specialist searchers worked over the weekend and the police helicopter was also brought in to help.

Drivers who were in the area early on Saturday who may have dashcam footage were asked to help police, as well as local people with CCTV.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.