A DRIVER found dead in his car, hidden in dense undergrowth on a busy roundabout, is believed to be a young father who has been missing for a week.

The Northern Echo understands the driver to be local man Darren Bennett, who was last seen on Saturday, August 27.

Friends paid tribute to Mr Bennett tonight hailing him as "a great husband, father and friend".

Durham Constabulary said yesterday that a man in his 20s had been found dead in his car the Burtree roundabout, above the A1 motorway, on the outskirts of Darlington.

They are now liaising with the family of 28-year-old Mr Bennett, though have not yet conducted a formal identification.

His silver Renault Megane Scenic was well hidden from passing traffic, having come to rest in dense undergrowth on the roundabout above junction 58 of the motorway.

A motorist found the car at around 11.30am on Saturday, but police said yesterday that they were unsure when the fatal incident had taken place.

Mr Bennett, a newly-married father, originally from Darlington but who lived in Newton Aycliffe, was last seen at a party in Darlington on the evening of Saturday, August 27.

Durham Constabulary today confirmed that the car found at the roundabout was his and had not been reported stolen.

Sergeant Andy Sutherland from Durham Constabulary’s Road Policing Unit said: “The car appears to have left the road at some speed and crashed into a number of trees before finally coming to rest several metres back from the carriageway.

“Its location means it would have been extremely well hidden from passing traffic.”

Durham Constabulary said they had conducted "extensive enquiries" into the disappearance of Mr Bennett.

A statement issued this afternoon added: "There has never been any intelligence to suggest a possible location for his car or a route it could have taken.

"We are pursuing various lines of enquiry to establish when the crash took place and we would be keen to hear from anyone who might have seen the Megane on the roads at any time since the weekend of August 27."

Numerous friends of Mr Bennett have taken to social media to pay tribute and share their grief.

On Facebook, Sophie Bailey said: “RIP to a very good lad taken far too soon. Anyone who ever met or knew Daz never had a bad word to say about him."

Anyone who can help police with their enquiries is asked to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 3752159.

Friends have set up a fundraising site in a bid to help Mr Bennett's family with funeral costs. To donate, visit: gofundme.com/2n3ydb7k