THE body found at the Countess of Chester Country Park last week was that of a woman, police have confirmed.

The discovery followed a search involving the police helicopter after a person was reported missing in the city on the evening of Monday, March 20.

At 7.45am the following day, a member of the public alerted police to the body in the park.

Police informed the next of kin of the missing person after the discovery and have today confirmed the body was that of a woman.

A statement from Cheshire Police at the time said: "Shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday 21 March officers were called to reports of a missing person in Chester.

"Officers searched for the person throughout the night, which included support from the National Police Air Service.

"Sadly, at approximately 7.45am today, Friday, March 22, a body was discovered by a member of the public at the Countess Country Park."

The death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner has been informed.