VILLAGERS are urged to check gardens and outbuildings as concerns grow for missing pensioner Alexander Nicol.
It has now been more than two weeks since the 73-year-old went missing from his Newcastle home.
Police are now following up a new sighting of him near the Northumberland village of Hipsburn and have been searching the area.
He was seen walking west on the B1338, near Hipsburn towards the bridge over the river Aln at 4.25pm on January 25.
Officers are urging the community to help.
Supt Paul Orchard of Northumbria Police said: “Our search for Mr Nicol is continuing and we still want to hear from anyone who saw him.
“Our inquiries have led us to believe two people walking along on the B1338 near the bridge over the River Aln may have passed him and we continue to urge them to get in touch.
“We’d also appeal to people in the area to check their properties, particularly those who have outbuildings and barns, to ensure he is not there.
“While we have been focusing on this area of his last sighting, searching across areas he is known to frequent, including the Newcastle area, are also continuing.
“We’re doing everything possible and need the public’s help. No matter how insignificant people think any sightings of Mr Nicol are, it all helps us to build up a picture of his movements and to find him.”
Former librarian Mr Nicol was reported missing after he failed to turn up at a Burns’ Night celebration he had organised at the sheltered accommodation where he lives, on January 25.
He was seen on CCTV arriving at Jesmond Metro Station at around 9.25am, before boarding a train heading towards Newcastle Airport at 9.33am.
He got off the Metro at Regent Centre at 9.41am and turned right from the station. He then walked towards Gosforth Library before spending around 10 minutes inside the building and leaving. He was then seen heading back in the direction of the bus stops at Regent Centre from the library.
CCTV footage has revealed that Mr Nicol caught the 10.14am X18 bus, destined for Berwick from the Regent Centre. He got off at a stop in Alnmouth at around 11.45am.
Police have followed up various sightings of him in Northumberland.
Anyone with any information about his whereabouts is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101.
