Dad left home a week ago and hasn't been seen since

Brian Blakeman has been missing for more than a week and is believed to be wearing a blue Everton fleece

Dad left home a week ago and hasn't been seen since

Bookmark

Hundreds of police officers are involved in the search for a dad who went missing from his home over a week ago.

Brian Blakeman was last seen at his Skelmersdale address on Tuesday, December 5. The 77-year-old is understood to have left his home after eating breakfast around 9am, with the alarm being raised by his partner when she came back and he was no longer there.

Lancashire Constabulary Inspector John Bent revealed yesterday that CCTV footage has only been able to rule out where Brian might have gone or the route he took, leaving the force without a clear picture of his journey. The inspector yesterday told journalists at the press conference at Beacon Country Park: "Today marks exactly a week since Brian went missing.

READ MORE: Brianna Ghey live court updates as murder trial continues

READ MORE: Try Liverpool Echo Premium for 99p with no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

"This is a very rural area and he could have gone in multiple different directions. Our search strategy, which has involved lots of specialist teams, has included mounted officers, drones, the police helicopter and underwater search team."

The Everton fan is believed to have been wearing a blue fleece jacket with the club badge on, along with jeans and trainers, when he left his home. Lancashire Constabulary has searched hundreds of homes since Brian was first reported missing and 40 people have come forward with information.

LancsLive reported that the country park, around two thirds of a mile from Brian's house, is one of several areas being searched as part of a joint operation that includes firefighters and mountain rescue volunteers. Brian was a keen walker who regularly used the park and visited the Coppice Café.

Inspector Bent said the force was still "hopeful" the dad will be found, despite West Lancashire being battered by heavy rain and freezing temperatures in the past week. Residents have been asked to search sheds and garages as well as communal bin stores.

The force spokesman added: "Where he lives takes us very quickly into the rural area and that's why we want to appeal to the public to look and be vigilant. From his home address to here is around 0.6 miles, over Granny's Hill, if you follow the paths."

The public have been "absolutely amazing" in the search, the force added, with posters put up in shops and schools. Officers have also searched Dalton Lees, Holland Moor, Tower Hill, West Pimbo, Tawd Valley Park, Westheads Clough, Delf Clough and Elmer’s Green. The underwater search team has visited several bodies of water in the area.

Susan Houghton, who was walking her friend's dog at the country park this morning, said she was aware of Brian's disappearance and had been keeping a look out when she takes her daily walk. She said: "It's so sad and everyone has been talking about it and trying to help.

"The worrying thing is that it's been such a long time now and it's been very cold and bleak. It's good to hear the police are still hopeful but you do wonder how someone could have survived in this weather."

Tom Stapleton, who lives close to the country park, added: "It's such a lovely part of the countryside here but it is very, very rural and there's so much open land. There are lots of wooded areas, so searching for him is going to be difficult. I just hope and pray he's found safe and well. I know it's been a week but you can't give up hope.

"I feel for his family. It must be awful for them not knowing where he is and they'll be getting more worried as time goes on. It's terribly tragic."

Anyone with information is asked to call 999 immediately or email forcecontrolroom@lancashire.police.uk.

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here.

Story Saved
You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.