THE body of an elderly walker reported missing in the Dales has been found near Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

North Yorkshire Police said they were alerted by Cheshire Police to a missing walker, aged 77, and subsequently at 8.30pm on Thursday, November 7, requested Clapham Cave Rescue Organisation to prepare to conduct a daylight search of North Ribblesdale.

CRO team leaders then spent the evening planning a search pattern ready to commence on Friday morning.

A spokesman for CRO said: "After a briefing, the team, consisting of 31 members, began a detailed search of boundaries and caves along walking routes and bridleways radiating from Horton village. A base of operations was established at Horton old school, where police officers and team leaders were able to coordinate their response.

"As team members were nearing completion of the first phase of the search, police were notified by a farmer that he had located a body in a field near Ingman Lodge, towards Ribblehead.

"Team members, together with police officers, relocated to Ingman Lodge, where police were able to confirm it was the individual concerned.

"Once death was confirmed, team members stretchered the casualty to a waiting road ambulance."

A spokesman from North Yorkshire Police added: "Police received a report from Cheshire Police of a missing 77-year-old man, believed to be in the North Yorkshire Police area, on Thursday, November 7. Sadly, a body was located in the Ribblehead area the following day. The man's family have been informed.

"We are grateful for the assistance of the Cave Rescue Organisation, who supported the search."