POLICE believe they have found the body of an 81-year-old pensioner who had been missing for 10 days.

Detectives appealed for information to trace Derek Pontin after he disappeared from Blackwood on November 7.

Gwent Police said this evening they had discovered a body believed to be that of Mr Pontin in the Pontllanffraith area.

A spokesman said there were “no suspicious circumstances” and officers are giving support to his family.

Mr Pontin was very interested in nature and was known to roam the countryside around Blackwood.

Relatives including his brother appealed for help to trace the Blackwood pensioner earlier this week.

He had last been seen in Bridge Street, Blackwood, at around 3.30pm on November 7.

A Gwent Police spokesman said this evening: “A body, believed to be missing man Derek Pontin, has been discovered in the Pontllanffraith area.

“Whilst formal identification has yet to take place, officers believe the deceased to be Mr Pontin who had been missing from home for several days.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and officers are currently providing Mr Pontin's family with support at this difficult time.”