Missing Essex man Michael Bell has been found – and will soon be reunited with his family.

He was found just before noon, a little over two hours after a member of the public, who had seen media coverage of Mr Bell’s disappearance, reported seeing his car at Fingringhoe, near Colchester.

The witness reported seeing the black Nissan Note at the end of a farm track. But the vehicle drove away before police arrived a few minutes later.

The search by police, family members and friends then focussed on the Fingringhoe and Colchester areas.

Mr Bell, 57, had been last seen at his home in Finchingfield at about 3pm on Tuesday.

An Essex Police spokesman said he had been found at a nature reserve in Fingringhoe Wick, near Colchester.

He has now been taken to hospital for a check-up.