Former Oswestry Town footballer found dead aged 35
A former Shropshire footballer has been found dead after going missing.
James Dean, 35, was missing for four days before his body was found in Oswaldtwistle near Blackburn on Sunday.
Lancashire police say that his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Fellow footballers have described has as a gentle giant and a goal machine.
He played for Oswestry Town FC almost two decades ago.
David Figg, a matchday steward at Oswestry's TNS, and known as Statto for his knowledge of local football, said he had been sad to hear the news of Mr Dean's death.
"I remember him from when he played for my then-team Oswestry Town in about 2003 before we merged with TNS," he said.
My thoughts and prayers go to all his family, friends and everyone at his former clubs.
A police spokesman said the retired footballer was last seen in the Orchard Drive area of Oswaldtwistle at about midnight on May 5.
He said a body was found in the Moscow Mill Street area of the town at about 2.25pm on Sunday.
"His family have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this time," the police spokesman said.
He scored 60 goals in 130 appearances for Chorley, helping them gain promotion to National League North in 2014, and was one of Halifax's most prolific goalscorers with 70 goals in 128 appearances, including a record-breaking 40 in the 2009-10 campaign.
