POLICE searching for missing dog walker Yvonne Mullen have this morning found a body.

Formal identification has yet to take place but the family of the 76-year-old have been notified and are being supported.

Ms Mullen went missing on Thursday after she left her home at 1pm to walk her Staffordshire bull terrier, Frankie, in the area of Crosby Ravensworth Fell - but neither returned home.

Yesterday mountain rescue teams from across the north, as well as search dogs, police, firefighters and helicopters, all helped to scour the area.

The body was found in the area of Hardendale Quarry around 11am.

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team posted a lengthy statement this afternoon saying her dog was also located at the same time, and although having spent two nights in the open, was safe and well.

"During all of this time, the local residents assisted us, in searching the buildings in the villages, and the farms, as they know them very well," the statement said. 

"Due to the lack of mobile telephone signal we were given a cordless phone connected to a residents landline, and access to Wifi in the same manner.

"The village hall became a focal point for the teams, as hot drinks and food were supplied by the residents to all those involved in the search, and a great number of residents also supported us by searching their own land, and letting us know what areas had been cleared.

"It became clear that the local people were keen to continue that support today, and asked us to give them an area to work on searching themselves, which they did every bit as well as a practiced rescue team.

"The leadership, and members of the Penrith team wanted to thank everyone that supported, and assisted us over the last three days, and our thoughts are with Yvonne's husband, and family, at this time."

The coroner will be informed.