A LARGE search for a missing man is set to continue this morning.
Police and coastguard crews scoured Hove seafront throughout yetserday evening and into the early hours of this morning in an attempt to locate Gareth Jones.
The 69-year-old was last seen yesterday at about 1pm at Fish, a fishmongers in Basin Road South, Portslade.
Sussex Police were contacted and a search operation was quickly launched to track down Gareth, who lives in Hove.
Coastguard crews, lifeboat teams and the coastguard helicopter were all called in to assist with the search, with the crews of several boats in the area also helping to scan the shoreline and water.
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard received a call from Sussex Police just before 7.30pm last night requesting assistance with a search for a missing person.
"Shoreham and Newhaven coastguard rescue teams, Shoreham and Brighton RNLI lifeboats, the coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd and local vessels in the area all assisted in the search.
"HM Coastguard’s assistance in the search was suspended in the early hours and will continue at first light.
"Sussex Police are leading the search."
Sussex Police issued a public appeal for help in establishing Gareth's whereabouts shortly after 8pm yesterday, urging anyone who might know where he is to come forward and contact them.
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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