NINE weeks since a man went missing, police and his family are still hoping to find him.

Fifty-three-year-old Michael Hunter walked out of his home in the Westmoreland Street area of Darlington, on January 24 - the morning of his mother's funeral.

A number of sightings were reported in Weardale and Teesdale, but no trace of him was found.

A recent search of Drinkfield Pond and marsh area on the outskirts of Darlington, also uncovered nothing.

The mystery of his disappearance will be featured next month in a BBC documentary about missing people.

Inspector Steve Ball said: "Mr Hunter is known to be a keen walker with a love of bird watching and the countryside. The areas where sightings have been reported are all places he knows and has visited.

"Someone who frequents the Durham dales may think they have caught a glimpse of him and that a possible sighting would be of no interest to us. Let us be the judge of that.

"I would urge anyone in that position to ring us and, as the better weather finally arrives, I would ask everyone spending time in the countryside to keep an eye open for Mr Hunter."

Mr Hunter, a health care assistant at Darlington Memorial Hospital, was receiving treatment for depression and anxiety.

When he was last seen, he was wearing a blue jumper, blue trousers and faded black baseball cap with a kangaroo motif. He also had a short green Berghaus jacket, brown shoes and was carrying a grey turquoise/blue backpack.

He is 5ft 7in, slim with short black/greying hair, facial hair and could be wearing glasses.

Anyone who can help the police is asked to ring 0845-60-60-365.