Mystery surrounding the whereabouts of missing war veteran Robert English deepened after another search proved fruitless.

Police and search and rescue teams are baffled by the 77-year-old's disappearance, and are now losing hope of finding him alive.

Yesterday, more than 20 volunteers and members of the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team searched close to where Mr English's car was found, at a spot he often visited.

For hours, members of the search team scoured land near Grassholme Reservoir, in Teesdale, County Durham, where his red Vauxhall Astra was found on November 27.

The former RAF serviceman, who was held for three years in a prisoner-of-war camp after being shot down over France during the Second World War, has not been seen since November 26.

He had told his wife he was going to buy a newspaper at his local shop, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, but after leaving the shop he disappeared.

The search for Mr English has been made harder because there have been no positive sightings of the pensioner, and none of his clothing or possessions have been found.

A police spotter plane and sniffer dogs have also been involved in the search, which is now in its third week.

Steve Owers, of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team, said: "It is such a mystery. There is absolutely no trace of him whatsoever.

"We have found nothing in more than 800 man hours of searching, so I think today will be our last one, until we get something positive to work off."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Barnard Castle police, on (01833) 637328.