A missing man was found burnt to death in a cemetery this morning.
Officers and fire fighters were called to reports of a fire in a graveyard in Ushaw Moor, County Durham at around 6.20am this morning.
When they arrived at the graveyard they found the body of a man who is yet to be formally identified.
Durham Police believe that they know who the man is, and are in the process of contacted his family.
They say that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
"Sadly a man was found deceased at the scene," a spokesperson for the police said.
"Enquiries are ongoing to confirm his identity but officers believe it to be that of a missing man and his family are in the process of being notified.
"It is not believed there are any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
"No graves have been affected.
"The cemetery will be closed for the remainder of today but is expected to reopen tomorrow and we would like to thank the public for their patience."
A person who lives close to the cemetery said they looked out of their window shortly after 6am and saw a fire in the graveyard.
"It was a small fire", they said.
"I thought it was kids, as you sometimes get. I came downstairs and thought it doesn't look good. So, I phoned for the fire service. The fire service arrived and put out the fire.
"They put tape around the area then the police arrived at around 6.30am. Then a forensics van arrived. It's not what I expected in the morning.
"Police called me and asked me what I had seen."
A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire Service said: "We were alerted at 6.08am this morning (Thursday, April, 28) to reports of a fire in a cemetery on Broom Lane, Ushaw Moor.
"CDDFRS control mobilised two crews to the scene. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a man was very sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
"Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and the wider community at this difficult time.”
The cemetery remains behind a police cordon and mourners visiting graves are being turned away.
