Body of carer is found in river

Mr Hunter was last seen in January

The body of a man recovered from the River Tees has been identified as a care worker missing since January.

Michael Hunter, 53, who worked at Darlington Memorial Hospital, had not been seen since 24 January, after he failed to attend his mother's funeral.

Police said an angler found Mr Hunter in a stretch of river between Darlington and Croft on Wednesday.

A spokesman said the body had been in the water "for some considerable time". There are no suspicious circumstances.

Sightings of Mr Hunter, who was a keen walker and birdwatcher from Westmoreland Street, Darlington, had been reported at Bollihope Common in Weardale and Low Force in Teesdale.

The Durham Police spokesman said the coroner had been informed and an inquest would be held soon.