A MAJOR search for a retired pitman who vanished after setting off on his regular walk is continuing this afternoon.

William Jones, 89, was last seen going for his daily walk in Ferryhill, County Durham, at 4pm on Friday.

Mr Jones walks many routes in and around the town but failed to return to the Derwent Road home he shares with wife Janet, 85.

Worried family members carried out their own search for Mr Jones, who walks with the aid of a stick, before raising the alarm at 7pm.

Twenty police officers and sniffer dogs were aided by members of the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue (TWSMR) as they searched through Friday and Saturday night.

This afternoon police are to check areas that have already been searched as well as searching new areas that have been identified by experts but the search and rescue teams have been stood down. Dave Bartles Smith, TWSMR team leader, said: "After reviewing the situation yesterday evening we brought in additional searchers from Swaledale, Cleveland and Northumberland mountain rescue teams.

"Despite having over 40 personnel and two mountain rescue search dogs involved in the search and covering a large area we have not located the missing gentleman.

"Mountain rescuers have been involved for almost 30 hours and at 1am on Sunday we stood the teams down.

"Police inquiries are continuing and we will carry out further searches if likely areas are identified."

Mr Jones was last seen wearing light brown corduroy trousers, light brown jacket, brown shoes and a grey cap.

He has grey hair and is around 5ft 6in tall. Anyone with information should call 0345-60-60-365.