POLICE have identified a man who may have jumped into a river earlier this week.

Peter Moffat, 67, of The Spinney in Darlington, was reported missing by concerned neighbours yesterday morning.

Darlington Duty Inspector Kevin McCarthy said: “We are keen to trace Mr Moffat and would urge him or anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact us so that we know he is safe and well.”

On Tuesday evening emergency services conducted an extensive search of the River Tees and its banks between Blackwell and Stapleton following a report that a man had jumped into the river from Blackwell Bridge in Darlington.

Along with police air support units and the fire service’s water rescue unit, Teesdale and Weardale Mountain Rescue Service were called to carry out a search of the river’s banks.

Yesterday, the search by specially trained officers from Northumbria police’s underwater search team continued with support from the mountain rescue service who took to the river in canoes.

Insp McCarthy added: “An extensive search of the river and surrounding areas has already been carried out and police divers have continued the search today.

“We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry following the report from a member of the public about a man jumping into the river.”