POLICE have praised the efforts of residents who volunteered to help find a missing Pocklington man, found dead at the weekend.

The body of 62-year-old David Huitson, was found in woodland north of Kilnwick Percy, to the east of York, on Friday night.

Mr Huitson, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, was reported missing last Monday and in the four days he was missing, dozens of Pocklington residents joined the search effort.

Sgt Peter Rogers, of the Pocklington and Wolds Weighton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The people of the Pocklington area have been absolutely fantastic in the help that they have given to both the Police and the Huitson family during the course of this extensive investigation.

“We would like to thank the volunteer groups, those who circulated posters, those who assisted in the searches or offered accommodation, and everyone who provided information and offered help in the hope that we would locate David safely.”

Mr Huitson, of Springfield Road, was reported missing to police at about 7pm on Monday, June 13, after he went for a walk at about 2.30pm, but did not return home.

Officers from Humberside Police were assisted by Swaledale Mountain Rescue in the search for him in fields around Wheatland Close before moving on to farmland near Burnby Lane, Pocklington.

Detective Inspector Tony Cockerill, who led the search, said: “This had been a long and difficult search that has been painstakingly undertaken by large numbers of police officers and volunteers from the local community and other supporting agencies.

“Sadly Mr Huitson has not been found alive, but I would like to offer thanks to those who have supported the search and the Huitson family.

“The family have been moved by the public support.”

He said there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Huitson’s death.