A LATE-NIGHT seafront search was launched for a missing man believed to be with his dog.
Gareth Jones from Hove was last seen yesterday at about 1pm at Fish, a fishmongers in Basin Road South, Portslade.
Sussex Police issued an appeal for information on Gareth's whereabouts shortly after 8pm.
And, within hours, a large search operation had been launched.
Witnesses in Hove at 11pm yesterday described seeing a large number of police officers and coastguard crews coordinating a search of the seafront.
The coastguard helicopter could also be seen flying overhead, scouring the shoreline from 11pm until the early hours of this morning.
Sussex Police are continuing to appeal to members of the public to come forward if they have any information relating to Gareth's whereabouts which could help officers in their search.
The force described him as white, about 5ft 10in tall, bald and of medium build.
He was last seen wearing a light blue puffer coat, grey tracksuit bottoms with red stripes down the legs and a navy beanie, a Sussex Police spokesman said.
Officers also believe the 69-year-old is with his brown cockapoo dog (pictured above).
The pet is likely to be wearing a red harness.
A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Anyone who sees Gareth or who has any information as to his whereabouts is asked to call 999 quoting serial 928 of 16/01."
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