FEARS are growing for a missing Durham City pensioner after a search of the area from where he disappeared proved fruitless.

George Harding, 83, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, went missing more than a week ago from his home in Geoffrey Avenue, Neville's Cross.

Over the weekend, more than 30 volunteers and search dogs from the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team combed miles of open land around his home in an effort to find him.

Steve Owers, of the search team, said: "It was a fairly intensive search, but unfortunately there was no sign of this man at all.

"We are hoping that there is a possibility he may have wandered into something like a garden shed to seek shelter, and we would ask people to check these."

Police said the outlook for Mr Harding, a former church minister, is "grim" and have renewed their appeal for help.

Inspector Alan Carr, of Durham Police, said: "We are at a loss as to where he is.

"He has wandered off in the past, but always been found nearby fairly quickly."

Mr Harding is 5ft 10in, and when last seen was wearing grey trousers and a beige T-shirt.

Anyone with information should contact Durham City Police on 0191-386 4222.