A BODY was found in woodland near Hambledon in the police search to find a Hydestile man, who went missing on New Year’s Eve.

The formal identification has yet to be made but it is believed to be 63-year-old George Walker, who had not been seen by his family since leaving to go for a walk at around 3pm on January 31.

Officers subsequently located his car, which was parked on Vann Lane, Hambledon. His next of kin have been made aware of the discovery of the body. His death was being treated as unexplained.