TRIBUTES have been paid to a Haltwhistle man who died after going missing from his home during freezing weather conditions.

Alan Davies (63) disappeared from his home at Comb Hill after 1am last Friday.

Police searching for Mr Davies, who suffered from learning disabilities, found his body nearby less than 12 hours later.

A post mortem has since taken place, but the coroner said further tests must be carried out to establish the cause of death.

Police have ruled out any third party involvement.

At the time of the incident, Mr Davies was living with his carer of 24 years, Gwyneth Wilde, and her family.

Mrs Wilde said police had discovered his body two miles away near the B6318 Military Road.

She said: “Alan had never previously left the house on his own and, as always, I checked on him before going to bed.

“It was a shock to discover he wasn’t there the following morning. We believe he unlocked the door, and walked two miles in his bare feet and pyjamas.”

Originally from Cardiff, Mr Davies moved in with the Wilde family in 1993 as part of a local authority shared lives caring scheme. He lived with them in both Gilsland and Haltwhistle.

Mrs Wilde added: “Alan had been handicapped since the age of nine when he contracted meningitis. Despite this he was cheerful and chirpy, and immersed himself in community life in Haltwhistle.”

Mr Davies was a regular churchgoer, who attended coffee mornings in Haltwhistle. He also got involved with activities run by Mencap and the Salvation Army.

A funeral service will take place at Haltwhistle’s Holy Cross Church on Tuesday at 11.30am.