Rescuers are confident that a 77-year-old man who has gone missing from his home will be found safe and well.

John Griffiths from Sussex Search and Rescue said that the "survivability rate" was good for missing Seaford pensioner Richard John Wise.

A search coordinated by Sussex Police has been launched for Mr Wise who was last seen at his house in Chichester Road at 3pm yesterday.

He is thought to have disappeared between then and about 8pm, when his wife found he had left the house.

 


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Mr Wise is described as white, 6'2", with grey/brown short hair. He is believed to be wearing a blue anorak, light-coloured trousers and brown lace-up shoes. He is without his dentures.

He is unsteady on his feet, usually walking with the aid of a stick, and has mental health issues. He has not been eating or drinking and has been prescribed anti-depressants and pain-killers which he needs to take regularly.

Alongside officers, 16 volunteers from the county's search and rescue team are combing Seaford beach with a further ten members of the team set to join the search at 5pm if needed.

Up to 50 volunteers from local neighbourhood watch teams are also taking part in door-to-door searches and checking back gardens.

Inspector Philip Hogan, of Sussex Police said: "Richard's family are very worried because it is out of character for him to leave home on his own and without giving any indication of where he is going.

"The weather conditions are poor and Richard's health will deteriorate quickly unless he can be found."

Officers have been searching the Seaford area throughout the night, and hospitals and public transport providers have been circulated with copies of Mr Wise's description and photograph.

Anyone who sees a man answering Mr Wise's description or who has other information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or e-mail: 101@Sussex.pnn.police.uk, quoting serial 1150 of 29/12.