A 48-year-old Telford man has been found dead in Snowdonia after he failed to return from walking in the mountains.

Jonathan Parton, of Arleston, is believed to have fallen. His body was found near the rocks at the bottom of Moel Hebog mountain.

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A regular visitor to the area, Mr Parton had travelled to North Wales on his motorbike, staying at the Saracen’s Head Hotel in Beddgelert, Gwynedd.

Staff alerted the emergency services when Mr Parton, a mental health nurse, failed to return on Friday night after going out for a walk on the 2560ft (780m) peak.

The alarm was raised after he failed to turn up at the hotel where he had left his bike and other personal possessions.

A search involving at least 20 people and the use of an RAF Valley helicopter was begun and Mr Parton’s body was found on Saturday afternoon.

The search, led by members of Aberglaslyn mountain rescue team, began with a dog and its handler from the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

But the full-scale search for Mr Parton was called off after rescuers discovered his body at the bottom of a cliff.

Mr Parton is believed to have been single with no children.

His younger brother Jamie Parton, 42, said today: “The family are all devastated about what’s happened. He was a keen walker and photographer and frequently went to Snowdonia.

“We think he set out on a walk and bad weather closed in. From what the mountain rescue team said it just seems he slipped and has fallen in bad weather.”

Constable Steve Wright, of Telford police, said today: “Our involvement in this incident began with a call from North Wales Police to say this man was missing.

“Officers were sent to the family home to make inquiries, but en route they received an update that a body had been found so sadly the purpose of their visit changed.”

Chief Inspector Mark Owen, for North Wales Police, said: “Mr Parton had stayed a few times at the hotel and was an experienced walker.

“At the moment we don’t know what’s happened.”

North Wales coroner Mr Dewi Pritchard Jones today opened and adjourned an inquest on Mr Parton.

By Tom Johannsen