POLICE searching for a well-known publican reported missing in the Borders have found a body.

A large scale search of the countryside around Jedburgh, located 68-year-old Charlie Bird's car and dog last night (Tuesday) but he was not within the vehicle.

With the assistance of a helicopter and mountain rescue search team, police recovered his Mitsubishi L200 car in a wooded area on the Denholm to Bedrule road at around 9.30pm.

The father-of-four was last seen leaving his home in Exchange Street, Jedburgh, where he runs the Canon public house with his wife Dawn, on Tuesday at 11am.

The former Jed-Forest rugby player, who is also a keen racehorse owner, was expected home at 2.45pm but failed to show up and has not been seen or heard of since.

A police spokesperson said: “Police in the Borders have recovered a body in connection with their enquiries to trace Charles Bird.

“The discovery was made at around 1:40pm today (Wednesday) in the Bedrule area.

“The next of kin have been informed.” Mr Bird was the second man to be reported missing from Jedburgh in the space of a few days.

William Notley, also of Exchange Street, Jedburgh, was last seen in the town at 10am on Saturday, January 31.

However, police are not linking the disappearances.