A MAJOR search operation in the North Yorks Moors has been unable to find a man who has been missing from home for more than two days.

North Yorkshire Police said officers were “very concerned” for the welfare of 53-year-old Steven Mead who left his home at Arden Hall, Hawnby, near Helmsley on Tuesday at around 8.40pm.

Officers, police search dogs and mountain rescue teams carried out extensive countryside searches as Mr Mead was last seen entering the woods surrounding his grade II listed property.

A police spokesman said: “The area where he has gone missing from is isolated and rural with a number of walking routes that lead across the moors and through woodlands. However, it is possible that Steven may have headed to a more built-up area.”

Members of both the Cleveland and RAF Leeming Mountain Rescue Teams took part in the searches which were carried out overnight on Tuesday and throughout Wednesday and Thursday.

A spokesman for the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team said volunteers searched the paths and wooded area around the hall to a distance of between one and two kilometres

He added: “We were assisted in the search by 13 members of RAF Leeming Mountain Rescue Team and our two search dogs Bonnie and Jake.”

Officers are appealing to walkers in the area and to anyone who believes they have seen Mr Mead in the area from Thirsk to Helmsley to Stokesley to contact them on 101.

Mr Mead is described being of medium build with greying, wavy hair and was wearing black trousers, a black fleece and walking boots. He does not have any money, transport or mobile phone with him.