Mr Thompson was found after extensive searches in the Carlton Bank area of the North York Moors. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A man reported missing on the North York Moors was found after a six-hour search by rescuers.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team was joined by search dog handlers and animals from the Swaledale and Teesdale and Weardale teams in the operation to find Lee Thompson.

North Yorkshire Police sought the rescuers’ help after the 48-year-old Middlesbrough man was reported missing on Tuesday.

Mr Thompson was believed to be in the Carlton Bank area, close to the route of the Cleveland Way and the Coast to Coast Walk.

Team members liaised with police at a rendezvous point at Lord Stones and began searching a wide area of the moors.

A team spokesperson said: “Over a period of hours a number of mountain rescue search parties and police officers searched the allocated areas.

Lee Thompson was reported missing on Tuesday

“Just after 10.30pm we received a report that the man had been found, so team members attended to assess his medical condition. We are pleased to report that he was found safe and was receiving appropriate care.

“At that point we were able to return to the rendezvous point and then stand down for the night.

“Many thanks to Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team for assisting by sending search dogs Ollie and Cassie with their handlers and Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team with search dog Tarn and handler.”

The incident involved 24 Cleveland MRT volunteers who spent a further two hours packing and decontaminating equipment in accordance with Covid-19 protocols.