POLICE searching for a missing Whitby man have traced a car they were searching for as part of their enquiries.

On Sunday (December 29) officers searching for Ian Gibbon, 43, urged the driver of a black Volkswagen Passat taxi to come forward, which they understood picked up a passenger in the town at 5.30am on Saturday (December 28).

Police urged the taxi driver and the man who got into the vehicle to come forward, believing they may have held vital information.

Officers have now traced the car and ruled it out of the investigation.

Searches to find Mr Gibbon are continuing around Whitby today (Monday, December 30) and police are urging people who see anyone matching his description to contact them as soon as possible. He was last seen at his home in Stainsacre, Whitby at about 10pm on Friday (December 27).

He is described as white, about 5ft 6in tall and of medium build with short black hair, brown eyes and a pale complexion.

It is believed he is wearing blue jeans, a dark green hooded top and brown Adidas trainers.

Anyone who has seen Mr Gibbon since Friday night is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the force control room.