A SEARCH was launched today for a recruit who went missing with a weapon.

It is believed the recruit from the Infantry Training Centre, at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, got lost while on exercise.

Police were called in to help find the teenager and he was spotted shortly afterwards near the military ranges in Leyburn Road, near Richmond.

An Army spokesman said the recruit had a weapon with him, but no ammunition.

"We can confirm that a 19-year-old recruit was thought to be missing on exercise," he said.

A joint operation between the Royal Military Police and North Yorkshire Police was put in place to find the youngster.

However, the young recruit handed himself to a civilian police vehicle and said he was lost.

The spokesman said the incident was being investigated.

North Yorkshire Police said they were called just after 10am and he was found by a Police Community Support Office at 10.20am.