THE body of a man found in a ditch in a remote country lane could be that of a missing North-East man.

A walker spotted the body yesterday morning in dense undergrowth in a roadside ditch by the B6310, on the outskirts of Shotley Bridge, near Consett, County Durham, and 200 yards from the small village of Daisy Hill.

The body was badly decomposed and police believe it had been there for some time.

Detectives launched an investigation following the discovery, but believe there are no suspicious circumstances.

Home Office pathologist Dr James Sunter, carried out a preliminary examination at the scene and was last night due to carry out a post- mortem examination at the University Hospital of North Durham, to determine an exact cause of death.

Police last night were preparing to rush through a DNA test, which should give a positive identification within three days.

Fears were growing last night that the dead man could be Craig Foreman. The 20-year-old went missing from his home in Denecrest, in nearby Medomsley, in the early hours of Saturday, October 26.

Experts at Shotley Bridge Hospital were treating him for mental health problems prior to his disappearance.

Craig's family printed and distributed thousands of posters appealing for witnesses, but police received no positive leads.

Detective Chief Inspector Ronnie Vine, of Derwentside CID, said yesterday that it was too early for investigators to draw conclusions, but could not rule out at this stage the possibility that it was Craig Foreman.