THE family of a missing Manfield woman, whose body was found in January, has given a £1,000 thank-you to the team that helped to search for her.

The Swaledale Fell Rescue team was among those who searched for Evelyn Graham after she vanished soon after New Year.

The body of Mrs Graham, 73, founder of Darlington and District Riding Club and member of the Zetland Hunt, was discovered in a pond at Aldbrough St John.

Despite their personal tragedy, her son, Chris, and daughter, Jane, wanted to express their thanks with a £1,000 donation which will be used to buy two-way radios for the fell rescue team's vehicles.

At a presentation ceremony at the unit's base at Catterick Garrison, rescue controller Joe Ayre said: "The search for Mrs Graham took place over a wide area and involved many members of the fell rescue team.

"We were sorry it ended so sadly but we greatly appreciate the generosity of Mrs Graham's family in donating the two new vehicle radios.

"These will undoubtedly improve our future efficiency and were badly needed by the team."

The rescue team was set up 30 years ago and is run by volunteers.