MORE than a year after a former miner went missing, police divers this week scoured a pond, in an attempt to find his body.

On March 25, last year, 53-year-old Edward Donnelly, from Fynway, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, went missing from the home he shared with his sister.

Despite the efforts of police, his family and search and rescue volunteers, no clues to his whereabouts have been found.

The last sighting of him was on the day he disappeared, when an acquaintance saw him walking along the A167, near the Red Lion pub, in Plawsworth.

The search for Mr Donnelly involved a large-scale operation over several weeks.

Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue teams spent several days scouring areas around Sacriston, even using canoeists to search the river, while police brought in helicopters to help search railway lines.

But following a recent review of the police's search operation and consultation with search experts, officers decided to re-examine the pond, which is about 150 metres long and 75 metres wide.

On Tuesday morning, the three divers, who are based in Jarrow had to break the ice on the pond, which is at the North end of Sacriston Woods, west of Edmondsley and then conduct a thorough search of the water.

Mr Donnelly is 5ft 8in, of proportionate build, with a pale complexion and mousey brown hair, in a short back- and-sides style.

Anyone who can help should call Chester-le-Street police, on (0191) 388 4311.