SEARCHES are continuing today to find 74 year old missing walker, David McCartney, who was last seen on Monday before heading out on a walking expedition in Craven.

Police say if he is not found today, searches will continue over the weekend and have asked anyone in the areas of Great Whernside, Kettlewell, Buckden and Grassington to keep an eye out for him, and to ring 999 with any sightings.

Mr McCartney, from Keighley, who is said to be an experienced walker headed out to “recce” an eight mile walk on Monday and has not returned home since.

The car that he left home in has now been located by police in Kettlewell.

He left home wearing a blue kagool, the same one as he is pictured in, red trousers and an orange and brown scarf. He was carrying a red and black rucksack.

Extensive resources have been allocated in the search to find Mr MCartney, involving the police, mountain rescue and the RAF. Both the Grassington based Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) and the Clapham based Cave Rescue Organisation have joined in the search.

Today, officers have focused on the Great Whernside area and have used two police drones to allow them to view aerial footage of vast open areas.

Officers on the ground have been assisted by the National Police Air Service helicopter, search dogs, volunteer mountain rescue teams and the RAF.

Critical Incident Inspector Martin Smith from North Yorkshire Police said: “We are extremely concerned for David’s welfare and significant multi-agency searches are planned for across the weekend.

"I urge anyone who is out walking in the Great Whernside, Kettlewell, Buckden, Grassington and Angram reservoir areas this weekend to be vigilant and to report any immediate sightings of anyone matching David's description to call 999.”

The reference number for any information is: NYP-18102021-0505