A 41-year-old man who had been missing from home since the weekend was found safe and well last night.

Police said Peter Mitchell, who disappeared from his home in Kelloe, County Durham, after a row with his wife on Sunday, was found in Peterlee at about 6pm.

Concerns had grown for the welfare of Mr Mitchell, who was in a depressed state when he walked out of his family home, in Morley Crescent, at 11pm.

A search team of 30 scoured the area around his home, and a police spotter plane also helped with the search, on Tuesday.

The search proved fruitless and police and members of the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team decided not to resume the operation until they had more information.

A Durham Police spokesman said last night: "We can confirm that Peter Mitchell, who went missing from his home on Sunday evening, has been found safe and well.