A SEARCH will continue today for a farmer who went missing after a road accident in a remote part of the North-East.

Police fear Cliff Allen, 50, could have been left injured after the accident at Lunedale, in Teesdale, County Durham, on Tuesday night.

Mr Allen, of Scaur Head Farm, in Gayle, near Hawes, North Yorkshire, had bought two sheep at St John's Chapel, Weardale, and was returning to his farm when his Land Rover hit a wall at East Nettlepot Farm, on the B7276, shortly after 6pm.

As paramedics tended his injured passenger, Mr Allen walked off across the moors in the direction of Selset reservoir. Police are unsure whether he went to round up his sheep, which had escaped, or had been left dazed by the accident.

"We don't know why Mr Allen left the area, but our major concern is he might have been injured in the accident and needs treatment," said Sergeant Bob Danby, of Barnard Castle police, who is co-ordinating the operation.

Twenty-four members of the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team joined the search, but it was called off at 3am.

The search resumed yesterday and was joined by members of Kirkby Stephen Fell Rescue, from Cumbria, and a police helicopter.

"The longer the search goes on, the less likely it is that he is in this area," said Chris Bartles-Smith, of the Teesdale team.

"We are searching places where he is likely to get a bed and stay dry, such as barns.

"Last night we looked along the roadside and places where he may have wandered, and today we are searching farther afield."

Lisa Burke, who lives at East Nettlepot Farm, said it was only the sound of the air ambulance which alerted her to the incident.

"The helicopter landed in the field next door, but there was no noise before that," she said.

"The night was bitterly cold and it was blowing a bit. I really feel sorry for the man.

"You just hope he had the sense to get into a barn or somewhere warm."

In Hawes, residents were left shocked at the news of Mr Allen's disappearance.

"It's most out of character," said one neighbour. "He is a happy-go-lucky, laid-back man, and very popular. This is a small community and we are all very worried about him."

The passenger in the Land Rover was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, with minor injuries.

The accident is the second serious incident on the road within a month. In September, a motorcyclist was killed after coming off his bike near Low Plantation Farm.

Mr Allen is married, with a son and a daughter in their twenties. He is 5ft 9in, slim, with brown, wavy hair. He was wearing a grey fleece jacket, with blue jeans and green wellington boots.

Anyone with information is asked to call Barnard Castle police on (01833) 637328.