POLICE have launched an investigation after a woman's body was found in Northumberland.

Officers closed a section of the A196 near the town of Morpeth following the discovery at 5.25pm yesterday.

The woman was this afternoon named as Valerie Brown, 45, from the Morpeth area. She had been missing since Saturday, June 25.

Police are not looking for any third party in connection with this death and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Relatives have been informed.