THE body of a well-known dog groomer from Wark has been found at Whitley Bay.

Paul Dove (45) was found dead near St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on Sunday, November 15.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "At 1pm on Sunday, November 15, police received a report that a body of a man had been found at the bottom of cliffs, north of St Mary’s Lighthouse, in Whitley Bay.

"Officers attended and there is not believed to be any third party involvement."

Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB) and Blyth Coastguard Rescue were called to help remove the body from the sea.

Mr Dove operated across Tynedale as a mobile dog groomer for many years before opening the Town and Country grooming salon in Crawcrook earlier this year.

South Northumberland Coroner, Eric Armstrong, confirmed this week he had started an investigation into the death.