A Knaresborough pensioner has said he is "delighted" to have been reunited with his wife after she became stranded by the River Nidd.

Gordon Atkinson, 75, of Rievaulx Avenue, said his wife was safe and well. He said: "I'm delighted that everything turned out OK. It's great to have her back with me." A police search took place earlier this week when Gordon's wife, Audrey, 73, failed to return home after going for a walk near the river.

She was later discovered by police stranded below a riverbank she could not climb, after entering the water for a paddle on Tuesday.

Mrs Atkinson was taken to hospital for treatment and was today recovering from her experience at home.

Meanwhile North Yorkshire Police have apologised for issuing a statement that indicated officers searching for a missing pensioner had found a body. An internal communications breakdown was blamed for the error.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, June 26, 2003