A MAN who went missing after walking out of a hospital ward may have travelled to Manchester, police said last night .

John Pedalty, 59, has not been seen since he left Darlington Memorial Hospital on Monday.

Inspector Steven Steen, from Darlington police, said that Mr Pedalty had talked about a friend called Wilfred Weighall and mentioned going to Manchester.

He added that there had been a possible sighting of him in Crook yesterday.

"Hospital staff are concerned for Mr Pedalty's welfare as he is in need of medication and he is considered vulnerable," said Insp Steen.

"His whereabouts are a mystery and we would urge anybody who thinks they know where Mr Pedalty is to contact us."

Mr Pedalty is of large build, with a fair complexion, sharp blue eyes with unkempt, receding white hair, a beard and thick-rimmed glasses.

He was last seen wearing grey jogging bottoms, a mustard anorak and trainers.