POLICE confirmed yesterday that a body pulled from a river at a Dales beauty spot was that of a woman reported missing on Monday.

Lynda Brown, 49, was from Congleton, Cheshire but was staying in a cottage in Grassington, North Yorkshire.

Her family alerted police when they became worried about her safety on Monday evening and her car was traced to a car park at Strid Wood, just north of the Bolton Abbey.

About 20 estate workers turned out to help with an immediate search. Her body was found in the River Wharfe at about 6pm on Monday.

A police underwater search team removed the body of Ms Brown from the water and the coroner has been informed, although there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

"It is marvellous for us that so many willing helpers will come out so quickly," Inspector Tad Nowakowski, of Skipton police, said yesterday. "It is tragic that the efforts should have ended in such a sad way.''

The Strid Gorge, between Appletreewick and Bolton Abbey was the site where a honeymoon couple drowned almost five years ago.

Barry and Lynn Collett were swept away in flash floods in August 1998 and, although Mrs Collett's body was recovered a few days later, Mr Collett was not found for another two months.