Hunt for missing man, 79, goes on

Police officers were today continuing to search for an elderly man who went missing from his home in a village near Market Drayton almost two weeks ago.

Gordon Beard, aged 79, went missing from his home in Kestrel Drive, Loggerheads, at 10am on August 18.

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

Sergeant Ray Reid, of Staffordshire Police, said today Mr Beard was still missing.

"We are still trying to locate him," he said.

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

Anyone who may have seen Mr Beard is urged to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 44 55 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

More than 80 people, including 40 soldiers and officers from the The Royal Irish Army Regiment, based at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, and volunteers from the community have helped in the search.

Hundreds of missing person appeal leaflets have been distributed in the area and farmers, landowners and residents have been asked to check their outbuildings.

A mobile police station was in Loggerheads for people to access and a family liaison officer has been wor-king with Mr Beard's family.

Chief Inspector Adrian Roberts, from North Staf-fordshire division, said officers were "extremely concerned".