A BODY found during the search for a missing man has been identified by police as 41-year-old John Hawkins.

Cheshire Police confirmed the discovery was made in the Bylchau area of Llansannan on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 2.

Mr Hawkins went missing from his home in Lymm, Warrington three weeks ago, in the early hours of Wednesday, December 12.

He was last seen driving his black Mitsubishi L200 Warrior 4x4 car in Bala on December 12. Four days later, the vehicle was found burnt out on the Denbigh Moors, near Bylchau.

The Cheshire force said Mr Hawkins's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and a case file will be prepared for the coroner.