Police have confirmed that a man reported as missing having failed to return to hias Hartlepool home has now been "safely located".

The Cleveland force issued the “urgent” appeal earlier this evening in the search for Mark Leah, 34, who was said to have left the Hardwick area of Stockton on Saturday (April 1) afternoon but who had not returned home to Hartlepool.

An image was issued by the Cleveland force showing Mr Leah at 2.30pm today.

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But within half-an-hour of the appeal being made, the force confirmed Mr Leah had been "safely located".

Police thanked everyone who shared the appeal.

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