CONCERN is mounting over the welfare of a pensioner who has not been seen since he left his Darlington home on Tuesday afternoon.

Missing Darlington pensioner found safe and well down embankment

The police helicopter, mountain search and rescue team and police dog units have all been involved in the search for 82-year-old Archibald Campbell who left his Parkside home at 2pm on July 26.

A keen walker, Mr Campbell is physically fit but suffers from dementia and Darlington Police Inspector Caroline Dawson is urging the public to be aware that the pensioner may be in the Darlington area in need of help.

She said: “We are particularly concerned about Archie’s welfare now, it is almost 48 hours since he was last seen at his home address.

“Archie does suffer from dementia and he does take quite long walks but it would be very unusual for him to have not returned by the evening.”

Archie is described as being 6ft tall, slim, with ear-length wispy grey hair and usually walks with a stick.

He is wearing light coloured jeans and a dark top, possibly a hooded top, and the last confirmed sighting was of him leaving his Parkside home and heading in the direction of South Park.

Insp Dawson said that as far as the police were aware this is the first time that Archie has gone missing and officers are currently out searching for him and scouring CCTV footage.

She said: “It would really help us if the community can help in looking for Archie.

“As I say he could have travelled some considerable distance

“If people live in the vicinity of the Parkside area of Darlington, which is where Archie is from, we would urge them to check their outbuildings, sheds, even hedges and bushes because what we do know is that people who suffer from dementia often do go to these areas and it would really assist the police if they could help find him.”

Insp Dawson added: “If somebody thinks they have seen him and they are able to be able to protect him and help him to perhaps get him some medical treatment or assistance that would be fantastic, but if they weren’t able to do that ultimately I would just like them to ring 101 with as much information about his description, what he was wearing and his last known direction of travel would be really helpful.”