A YEAR after former miner went missing, police are still trying to trace him.

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

But despite the efforts by police, family and search and rescue teams, no clues have been found to suggest his whereabouts.

The last sighting of him was on the day he disappeared, March 25, when an acquaintance saw him walking along the A167 road near the Red Lion pub in Plawsworth. Police say there have be no positive sightings of him since.

Sgt Rob Pollard, based at Sacriston police station, said: "With the help of mountain rescue volunteers we have carried out extensive searches. A year on his whereabouts remains a complete mystery and obviously, as time goes on, hopes of finding him alive are fading. We would urge anyone who thinks they may have seen him to get in touch with us."

The search involved a large-scale operation over several weeks. Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue spent several days scouring areas around Sacriston, and employed canoeists to search the River Wear, while police scrambled helicopters to search the railway lines.

Police also circulated an artist's impression of Mr Donnelly. He is 5ft 8in tall, of proportionate build, with a pale complexion and short, mousybrown hair.

Anyone who may know of his whereabouts should contact police on (0191) 388 4311.