Harrogate's Majestic Hotel fire body is missing porter

More than 130 guests were staying in the hotel at the time of the fire

A body found after a fire in a listed Victorian hotel in Harrogate has been confirmed as the business's kitchen porter.

Nigel Butterfield, 41, had been missing since the fire at the Majestic Hotel in Ripon Road, early on 5 May.

His body was discovered in the fifth-floor staff quarters of the hotel, which was severely damaged by the fire.

Police said inquiries were ongoing but examinations showed the fire had started in Mr Butterfield's room.

The fire at the 170-bedroom hotel was initially described by police as "potentially suspicious".

Det Insp Heather Pearson said: "The police investigation into the cause of the fire and Mr Butterfield's death is still ongoing.

"The scene was examined by fire and police scene investigators on 6 May and the police have now released control of the area back to Barcelo, the hotel owners, so that they can begin work restoring the hotel back to its former state."

An investigation is being carried out by the fire service and police in North Yorkshire into the cause of the fire.