POLICE searching for 36-yr-old Ian Simpkin who went missing from his home in Wath near Ripon earlier this week, have found the body of a man.

The man was found deceased in an isolated wooded area approximately two miles from the village of Wath. Officers carrying out further land searches found the body early this afternoon.

The body has not yet been formally identified, but police believe it to be Mr Simpkin.

It is not believed there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, a post mortem is due to be carried out and an investigation will be carried out on behalf of HM Coroner.