Billy Jones, 88, has not been seen since October 16

The 88-year-old has not been seen since he left his home in Derwent Road, Ferryhill, County Durham, at about 4pm on Friday, October 16, for his regular walk.

When he had not returned a few hours later, his worried wife, Jenny, son Glynn and daughter Jan Johnson, raised the alarm.

An extensive search operation involving Durham police and search and rescue volunteers was launched and is continuing two weeks later.

Officers have had few real leads with two reports of possible sightings of him in the Gordon Terrace area of the town at about 4.30pm on the day he went missing.

Last weekend, police and volunteers renewed their efforts to find Mr Jones, but despite searching across Ferryhill and nearby Spennymoor they drew a blank.

The grandfather-of-four worked at Dean and Chapter and Mainsforth Collieries for more than 40 years, areas that have been searched, and has been married for 67 years.

Chief Inspector Vicki Martin, who has been co-ordinating the hunt for Mr Jones, said that despite the lack of positive leads, the operation will continue for the time being.

She said: “Both ourselves and his family are realistic.

We know that after this length of time, the chances of finding Billy safe and well are increasingly slim. But we have been out in his neighbourhood and surrounding villages over the last few days, knocking on the doors of people who were not at home when we previously called.

“We are still asking local residents to check their gardens, sheds or garages in case Billy has stumbled into or taken shelter there.

“And if we get any reports suggesting he has been in a particular location, we will of course direct our resources in that area.”

Mr Jones is 5ft 6in and usually walks with a stick.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen him since 4pm on Friday, October 16, is asked to ring the police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.