Esther Dingley: Charity 'aware' of possible human bones found near where British hiker went missing

A charity representing the family of a missing British hiker has said it is "aware of the discovery" of what could be human remains near where she went missing.

Esther Dingley, 37, had been walking alone in the Pyrenees, near the Spanish and French border, when she was last seen on 22 November.

She had been expected to return from her trek three days later but never showed.

On Friday, LBT Global, which helps families with relatives missing abroad, said on Facebook that it was "aware of the discovery of what MAY be human remains close to the last known location of Esther DINGLEY".

"We are urgently seeking clarification.

"The family have been informed of the discovery and we are supporting them now."

The charity said that developments "may take days, or even weeks".

The remains were found earlier on Friday, described in reports as "human bones".

But the Daily Mirror quoted French police chief Jean Marc Bordinaro as saying: "We cannot say anything at the moment because the discovery of the bones is too recent and they must be properly analysed".

Ms Dingley had been travelling through Europe in a campervan with her partner Dan Colegate and he said earlier this year that emergency services were looking at "options beyond a mountain accident".