POLICE are searching for a missing North-West man who they believe is in the County Durham area.

Daniel Palmer, 26, from Wensley Road, Blackburn was last seen by his family in the Langho area on Friday, 19 October 2007.

He is 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build with short dark brown hair which has recently been shaved.

He has blue eyes and was last seen wearing a slate grey zip up nylon jacket and dark blue jeans.

He was wearing a blue knitted hat and green and brown walking shoes. He was also carrying a blue and black rucksack.

Following appeals made nationally, Lancashire officers were contacted by an off-duty police officer who said he had given Daniel a lift to a hostel in Tubwell, Darlington on Monday.

When local officers from Durham Constabulary attended the hostel on Lancashire Constabulary's behalf, Daniel had indeed been at the hostel but only stayed for five minutes before leaving with the intention of travelling to the Scarborough, Middlesborough or Newcastle areas and maybe even to Scotland.

PC Marc Hutchinson said: "We are concerned for Daniel as he has not been in contact with his family for more than two weeks and it is completely out of character for him to go missing.

Daniel may still not yet be aware that his father has recently returned from Cambodia and he is keen to contact him.

"We are reassured by this positive sighting of Daniel but are still keen for him to make contact with the police or his family to arrange to come home to Blackburn.

"Daniel's mum is really concerned about him and wants him to know that he is not in trouble. She just wants him to return home safe and well."

Anyone with information can contact police in Lancashire on 0845 1 25 35 45.