A body has been found in the search for a missing teenager in Lancashire.
Tom Dingle, from Appley Bridge, Lancashire, was last spotted on CCTV in the village heading towards the Boathouse pub in the early hours of December 13.
Now, officers have found a body in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton just after 3pm on Christmas Day.
While official identification has not yet taken place, detectives from Lancashire Police believe it to be the 19-year-old.
His family have been informed and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
A spokesman from Lancashire Police said: “At 3.12pm on Christmas Day we were contacted by a member of the public who had found a man deceased in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton.
“Although no formal identification has taken place, we believe it to be the body of 19-year-old Tom.
“Tom’s family have been informed, and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
“Our thoughts are very much with them at this extremely distressing time. We would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with this devastating news.”
Tom Dingle, from Appley Bridge, went missing earlier this month
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LANCASHIRE POLICE
The spokesman continued: “Tom’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to HM Coroner in due course.
“This is not the outcome anybody wanted.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everybody who shared our appeals for information.”
In a statement issued this afternoon (December 26) by Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team (RPMRT), a spokesperson said: “Last Friday (19/12/25) the team were contacted by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team (BPMRT) to assist with an ongoing search near Appley Bridge.
A body was found in woodlands off Lees Lane (file pic)
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The spokesman continued: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected by both these incidents at this time and no further comments will be made by the team.”
