Police launched a search of the Usworth Road area of Hartlepool this morning after a possible sighting of missing Darren Waller.

Officers started the operation at around 7.30am after a member of the public reported that they believed someone matching a description of the father-of-three was possibly living in a caravan inside a storage unit, which contains a number of caravans.

The extensive search, which involved the police helicopter, failed to find the 36-year-old and nothing was found to indicate he had been using a caravan.

Officers would like to thank the member of the public for coming forward and are urging other people to get in touch if they think they might have seen Mr Waller.

They are also asking residents to look in outbuildings, greenhouses, or other storage units to see if there may be indications that someone has used it as shelter.

Detective Inspector Anne-Marie Salwey said: “This search shows that we will react to possible sightings of Darren in order to see that he is safe and well, whilst continuing to proactively investigate other lines of enquiry.”

Mr Waller was last seen at an address in the Rossmere area of Hartlepool on Sunday 9th January at around 5.30pm.

His three daughters, Kayleigh, 16, Ellie, eight, and Leah, five, his ex-wife and close friend Lisa Gleaves, and mother Kathleen Waller are urging him to let them know he is safe and well and are asking people to contact police if they see him.

He is described as 5ft 8inches tall, white, with a shaved head and tattoos on his hands and arms.

He was last seen wearing a blue coloured sweater, dark blue jeans or bottoms and trainers and had an earring in his left ear.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 01642 326326.