The hunt continued last night for a missing pensioner as concern for his welfare grows.

Richard Wise, 77, was last seen at his home in Seaford three days ago.

Since then the Sussex coast has been lashed by gale force winds and heavy winds and Mr Wise is known to be without food, drink or his regular medication.

Dozens of volunteers have been helping with the search for Mr Wise, who is believed to have left his house in Chichester Road between 3pm and 8pm last Sunday.

Mr Wise is white, 6ft 2in, with grey/brown short hair. He is believed to be wearing a blue anorak, light-coloured trousers and brown lace-up shoes.

Several possible sightings of Mr Wise have each drawn a blank and an extensive search of the local area involving more than 50 police officers and civilian volunteers had proved fruitless so far.

Inspector Stephen Tullett of Sussex Police said: “Every effort is being made to try to find Mr Wise, spurred on by the knowledge that he is ill-prepared for the weather and is clearly vulnerable in other respects.

“I would like to renew an appeal to the public to keep their eyes open and to contact police if they have any information about Mr Wise's whereabouts.”

Anyone able to help should phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, quoting Operation Eddington.