POLICE searching for a 55-year-old man missing from home for more than a week are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Ian Richardson said happy birthday to his 25-year-old daughter, Gillian, before he left his house in Bertha Street, Ferryhill, County Durham, at 7.30am on Monday, August 11.

He said he was going to Spennymoor Job Centre for an interview, but never arrived and failed to return home.

There was a sighting of him near the Eldon pub, in Ferryhill, at about 2pm that day, but he has not been seen since.

Mr Richardson is 5ft 6ins, of average build, with dark brown, curly hair and brown eyes.

He has a tattoo of a peacock on his right arm and a bird in flight on the other.

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a dark blue shirt, dark blue trousers and a three-quarter-length green coat.

He spends a lot of time on his late father's allotment at the rear of Cochrane Terrace, and his own two allotments at the rear of Magdalene Terrace, and sometimes drinks in Ferryhill Station Workingmen's Club.

Acting Sergeant Andy Metcalfe, of Spennymoor police, said it was a mystery where he could be.

He said: "He did not take any money or change of clothes as far as we know, and his family cannot think of any reason he would take off like this.

"They are very distressed and would urge him to come home as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01388) 814411.