The family of missing Somerset teenager, Freddy, has been informed that human remains have been found.

A member of the public found the remains near Steart Marshes on Monday (January 30).

While formal identification had not taken place when the police shared their update yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), detectives leading the search for Freddy, 17, believe they are his.

Freddy went missing from the family home on a farm in Stolford on Tuesday, September 20.

More than 100 police officers and staff were involved in the search to find him and were supported by partner agencies including HM Coastguard, the RNLI and BARB Search and Rescue.

Detective Inspector Claire Millington said: “This is not the news we wanted to deliver to Freddy’s family and our thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time.

“We’d like to thank the public for all their calls and help with our appeals as we continued to hope he would be found safe.

“We’d also like to thank all our partners for their support in the search.

“While the cause of death is unexplained pending a port-mortem examination, we do not believe it to be suspicious.

“We will continue to provide Freddy’s family with support as we carry out enquiries on behalf of the coroner.”