Fears are growing for the safety of a 22-year-old man who has been missing for three days after disappearing from hospital.

Police are concerned Andrew Linton, who had been detained at Horsham Hospital under the Mental Health Act, might try to harm himself.

Officers on mountain bikes searched Horsham Park and the hunt has now been extended to Gatwick Airport because Mr Linton had been known to go there.

Mr Linton, who has his left arm in plaster and was wearing a patch over his left eye, disappeared from the hospital at 5pm on Sunday.

Insp Lance Gray said: "Andrew has a bandaged eye, as plaster cast on his arm, and because of his medical condition, walks with difficulty. He may also behave oddly, bringing notice to himself.

"I'd like to know if anyone has seen him since he left hospital."

Insp Gray said they had not been able to trace any of his relatives.

A week before his disappearance police took Mr Linton to Crawley police station because they were concerned about his safety after finding him wandering about in Horsham.

He had severe injuries to his arm and received treated for cuts and lacerations. Mr Linton was taken to Horsham Hospital.

Mr Linton is 5ft 6ins with dark brown, cropped hair and wispy beard growth and walks with a shuffle. He has a scar running across the back of his head. He was wearing a Newcastle United black and white football shirt under a blue crew neck jumper, blue-grey cord trousers and grey trainers.

Anyone who has seen Mr Linton is asked to contact police on 0845 60 70 999.