POLICE will today dig up a Second World War air raid shelter in the search for a former miner who has been missing for three years.

Edward Donnelly was 53 when he vanished from his home in Fynway, Sacriston, County Durham, on March 25, 2002.

Today, police will use earth moving equipment to dig up the concrete shelter, which was used later as a store for explosives, and will send in dog and search teams.

The search, near the old pit site on Blackett's Bank, Old Acorn Lane, Sacriston, comes after police received information in connection with Mr Donnelly's disappearance.

The structure was buried under tons of earth three years ago by the owner of the land, who wanted to stop children playing in it.

Earlier this year, John Pounder, 49, of Sacriston, was arrested in connection with Mr Donnelly's disappearance and charged with perverting the course of justice. He was found dead in April in non-suspicious circumstances.

Following a tip-off, officers searched Mr Pounder's home for three days and sent several samples for forensic examination.

Police say the new information was provided in the wake of the search of the house and media coverage.

From 8am today, police will close a one-kilometre stretch of the road between Sacriston and Witton Gilbert, while the excavation and search takes place

Mr Donnelly, known as Eddie, was 5ft 8in, pale and had mousy brown hair. When he went missing, he was wearing a green wax jacket, black jeans and black trainers.

Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin, who is leading the operation, said: "Ever since Edward Donnelly was reported missing we have used all resources available to us in a bid to find him.

"We have now received information leading us to this area, which has had many uses over the years.

"Obviously, we would not want to speculate on what we might find until we actually gain entry to the building.

"Mr Donnelly was a member of the community in Sacriston and I am asking people who live in the village to help us establish what had happened.

"I can't rule out the faint possibility he is still alive but if that's the case, it seems remarkable he has made no contact with members of his family or anyone he knew in that time."

Mr Donnelly's sister, Kathleen Gault, 70, said: "We never give up hope, it's all we have got. We never stop thinking about him but every time something like this happens and there is another search, it brings it all to the surface.

"We hope he is still out there somewhere, but in some ways it would be easier if we knew what had happened to him.''

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 606 0365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.