POLICE searching for a former miner who has been missing for three years will today continue to search an area of land they have been excavating since Monday.

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

Police have been digging up a concrete shelter, near the old pit site on Blackett's Bank, Old Acorn Lane, Sacriston, as well as searching surrounding woodland.

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.

A police spokeswoman said excavations had stopped at 2.30pm yesterday, after nothing of apparent significance was found. She said further searches were required in the area, but before they could proceed, specialist advice on the nature of the ground was required.

Earlier this year, John Pounder, 49, of Sacriston, was arrested in connection with Mr Donnelly's disappearance.

He was bailed after being questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, but was found dead in April in non-suspicious circumstances.

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

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.