Dorset: Death of missing Sherborne teenager Sophie Clark 'not being treated as suspicious'

The body of missing teenager Sophie Clark has been found, police have confirmed. The 13-year-old disappeared after going out for an evening walk close to her home.

The teenager from Sherborne, Dorset left her home at 6.30pm on Tuesday 14 June, after telling her parents she would be back home by 8pm. However, she failed to return home and did not respond when her parents tried to call and text her.

A major search was launched for the schoolgirl, using sniffer dogs and a helicopter. Chief Inspector Bob Acaster had said that Sophie's disappearance had been "out of character" and that she may have been "upset or worried" when she left home.

As the search continued into the early hours of the morning, officers confirmed they had discovered a girl's body in woodland not far from her home. Police are not treating the death as suspicious Mail Online reports.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Sadly the body of a teenage girl, believed to be that of Sophie, has been discovered in woods off Dancing Hill in Sherborne this morning, Wednesday 15 June 2016.

"Formal identification has not yet taken place but Sophie's family have been informed of this tragic update and are being supported by officers. The death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner has been informed.

"Inquiries are underway to establish the circumstances leading to her death on behalf of the coroner. Sophie's family have requested privacy that this very difficult time."