A major search of the Howgill Fells took place. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Rescuers looking for a missing walker on the Howgill Fells discovered a body.

A major search operation was launched when the man failed to return from a walk on the hills, in the far western reaches of the Yorkshire Dales national park.

Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team was called out on Wednesday evening after the walker, who was in his 70s, was reported overdue.

His car was found at Rawthey Bridge, with Coastguard helicopters using searchlights and infra-red cameras in a sweep of the fells. Crews from both Prestwick and Humberside joined the search and in the early hours of Thursday Kendal and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams also joined the search, along with five handlers and animals from the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Association.

Later that morning, search dog Fern and handler Dave Howarth found the body of the missing walker near the Uldale waterfalls.

A Kirkby Stephen MRT spokesperson said: “We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the man’s family, loved ones and friends.

“Our thanks go to Kendal and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams, the LDMRSDA, HM Coastguard, with crews from both Humberside and Prestwick involved in the search and recovery, and RAF mountain rescue who were in the process of deploying when the discovery was made.”