A missing pensioner was found safe following a near three hour police search in Gateshead.
The police helicopter was called out to assist as officers searched Saltwell Park on Sunday evening.
Northumbria Police confirmed that a 74-year-old man had been reported missing at 6pm, three hours after he had left his home in Low Fell.
Police vehicles were spotted at the popular Gateshead park, in East Park Road, as the search continued by air and foot.
One onlooker told ChronicleLive that the helicopter had spent up to half an hour scouring the park.
However the missing pensioner was "located safely" at around 8.50pm before he was returned home.
The historic park was opened almost 150 years ago.
Affectionately known as 'The People's Park', it attracts up to two millions visitors each year.
