A THREE and a half month long search for a missing pensioner has ended with the tragic discovery of a body.

Remains found at a plant hire yard on Todd Point Road, Redcar, have been identified as those of 82-year-old George Winter, who was last seen at his home in the town, just before midnight on Sunday January 21.

There had been extensive searches for the pensioner on land, and using an RAF helicopter and lifeboat.

Appeals for sightings of Mr Winter were broadcast on Crimewatch UK Daily, earlier this year.

British Transport Police showed passengers at Redcar, Middlesbrough and Darlington railway stations photographs of Mr Winter in a bid to get a clue about his whereabouts. Bus passengers were also asked for help and Cleveland Police had posters printed.

The badly decomposed remains were found by workmen lying near some unused machinery in the plant hire yard. Detective Inspector Gordon Lang described the grim discovery as a tragic end to a long and detailed search during which Mr Winter's family had never given up hope of finding him alive.