Hunt for missing man, 79

An elderly man has gone missing from his home in a village near Market Drayton, sparking a police search and concerns about his safety.

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

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

Officers have been continuing inquiries today and the search was due to be expanded even further with the support of specialist search officers and equipment.

Mr Beard is 5ft 9ins, well-built with grey hair.

He was wearing a cream shirt, black trousers, walking boots and was carrying a walking stick.

Faye Casey, Staffordshire Police spokeswoman, said there was a possibility Mr Beard was in the Chetwode Arms pub in Pipe Gate, near Market Drayton, at 12.45pm yesterday.

Anyone who has seen Mr Beard recently is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 44 55.