SPECIALLY trained police officers have been searching the River Tees as the hunt for a missing North-East man intensifies.

Tanveer Ahmed has not been seen since the early hours of Sunday morning and officers from Cleveland Police have been trying to locate him since then.

Officers say it is unusual for the 37-year-old, who was last seen in Yarm Lane, Stockton, at about 3.45am, to go out alone.

When last seen, Mr Ahmed, from Stockton, was wearing a long black shirt and white trousers. He is 5ft 8in.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Officers from Northumbria Police’s Marine Unit have been searching the River Tees today from the Tees Barrage to Victoria Bridge as part of the ongoing search for missing Tanveer Ahmed.

“Police would renew their appeal to members of the public who may have information on his whereabouts to contact them on the non-emergency 101 number.”