AN area of woodland between the village of Llanover and the Monmouth Brecon Canal was cordoned off on Friday afternoon after a member of the public reported seeing what was believed to be human remains at the site.

Police searched the area and later confirmed that the remains were those of Abergavenny man Richard Hancock, who was last seen on June 4, 2010.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said Mr Hancock's death was not being treated as suspicious and that specialist officers were working with his family.

"Our thoughts remain with them at this time," she said.

In a double tragedy for the family, it is understood that Mr Hancock's father died recently.