Police searching for missing man Peter Birch have found a body.
Mr Birch was last seen at around 2am on Monday when he left his parents’ address in Stanley, County Durham.
Durham Constabulary issued an urgent appeal for information and asked anyone with details about his whereabouts to get in touch.
But on Tuesday officers involved in the search confirmed they have found a body in the Stanley area.
Formal identification is yet to take place but police believe it is the body of the 40-year-old.
A spokesman for the force said: “We are saddened to report that a body has been found in the search for Peter Birch.
“The body of a man was recovered from the Stanley area yesterday evening.
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“Formal identification has yet to take place, but we believe it to be that of the 40-year-old.
“Peter’s family have been informed and supported by Police.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
