POLICE believe a body found in the Bolton Abbey area in September was a missing Burnley man.

Lancashire Constabulary has been searching for 48 year old Stuart Metcalfe over the last year and has issued several appeals.

A spokesperson said: "In September, our colleagues at North Yorkshire Police sadly found a body in the Bolton Abbey area.

"Although no formal identification has taken place, we believe it to be 48-year-old Mr Metcalfe."

Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

The spokesperson added: "His family have been informed of the latest development and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.

This is not the outcome anybody wanted, however, we would like to thank everybody who shared our witness appeals."