A body found on the sands near Greenodd, Ulverston, has this morning been identified as missing man Mark Westall, of Ulverston.

Mr Westall, 44, of North Lonsdale Road, disappeared from his home on Monday January 23.

Police officers, Walney Island Coastguard, Bay Search and Rescue team and Ulverston Inshore Rescue attended the scene on Saturday after dog walkers reported a sighting of what they believed to be a body in the water.

Rescuers tried to recover the body to the mainland, but due to lighting issues and dangerous tides postponed the operation until 2pm yesterday.

At around 3pm, with the assistance of the Millom Coastguard team, they retrieved the body.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death but at this stage do not believe it to be suspicious.