Eighty in search for man, 79

Thursday 20th August 2009, 11:04AM BST.

More than 80 people, including soldiers and officers from a Shropshire-based Army regiment have joined in the search for an elderly man missing from his home near Market Drayton.

Gordon Beard, 79, went missing from his home in Kestrel Drive, Loggerheads, at 10am on Tuesday.

Mr Beard, who suffers from dementia, was last seen by his wife and was believed to have gone out for a walk.

Police dogs and Staffordshire Police’s helicopter unit have been used in the search.

Police were joined by about 40 soldiers and officers from the The Royal Irish Regiment, from Clive Barracks, Tern Hill and volunteers yesterday.

Mr Beard may have been seen at the Chetwode Arms pub, Pipe Gate, Market Drayton, on Tuesday.

Mr Beard is described as white, 5ft 9in, well-built with grey hair. He was wearing a cream shirt, black trousers, walking boots and was carrying a walking stick.

Contact police on 0300 123 44 55.

View more: Loggerheads news, Market Drayton news.