POLICE have switched their search for a missing shop worker to York after he was spotted the day after his disappearance.

Officers want to speak to 32-year-old Gary Crawford about thousands of pounds which went missing from the safe of a town centre store.

Management at Argos in the Newgate Centre in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, alerted police on Saturday morning that more than £40,000 was missing.

The money disappeared after 7.45pm on Friday. There were no signs of forced entry.

Mr Crawford was at work that day but had not been seen by friends or family in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, where he lives, or the surrounding area.

Police at Bishop Auckland where yesterday contacted by a man who said he saw Mr Crawford, wearing a white top and carrying shopping bags, in York city centre on Saturday afternoon.

The caller, who recognised Mr Crawford because both originally come from the Crook area of Weardale, did not know police wanted to trace him until reading about it in The Northern Echo yesterday.

Police at Bishop Auckland are liaising with North Yorkshire Police to widen their inquiries and contact B&Bs where he may be staying.

Anyone with information about Mr Crawford is asked to contact Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 503666 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.