Concern was growing last night for a town clerk who has not been seen since he left his home early on Saturday.

A weekend-long search for 55-year-old Terry Robson switched from his home area of Spennymoor, County Durham, to the Northumberland seaside town of Alnmouth, where his car was found yesterday morning.

He had left his home in North Close, Kirk Merrington, at 7.30am on Saturday after writing a note to tell his wife, Valerie, that he was going to his allotment in St Paul's Gardens.

She searched the allotments, becoming worried because he is a diet-controlled diabetic and had not eaten. She then contacted the police. His wallet, mobile phone and passport were all left at home.

Mr Robson, town clerk and solicitor for Spennymoor Town Council, left his office in the town hall on Friday to watch Durham's cricket match at Chester-le-Street.

Council leader Bill Waters said he had been in good spirits when he left. "We are all very worried. We don't know what has happened," he said.

Police last night appealed for members of the public to help trace Mr Robson, who has a son and a daughter who are both in their 20s.