The family of a retired pilot who disappeared after setting off for a haircut have appealed for the public's help to find him.

John Waterfall was last seen at his home in South Bank, Hassocks, at 2pm on Tuesday.

The 58-year-old was due to take the train to Brighton for a hairdresser's appointment but never showed up.

His bike is missing but he left his wallet behind and it is feared he has also forgotten vital medication which he needs to control his diabetes.

His two grown-up children Simon and Sarah have travelled from London to help their mother Jenny with the search.

They have scoured the hills around their home and the Sussex coast in a bid to find him but have so far found no trace.

Simon said: "He's a very keen cyclist and could cycle for miles, so he could have gone anywhere. It's impossible to know where he could be. We're just hoping someone will spot his bike and he'll be nearby.

"Our family have lived in the area for more than 20 years and he's always out and about walking the dog, so lots of people know him."

He said the family are particularly worried because they are unsure whether he has taken insulin for his diabetes, which he needs to take regularly.

He said: "He seemed normal when he left home and there was no clue that he would go missing.

Everything was fine. It has been more than 24 hours since he was last seen and it's very distressing for the family.

"We need everybody to keep a look out and help us to find him."

He described his father as extremely fit, and said he often gets on the train with his bike and then cycles long distances home.

Police have examined CCTV footage of the platform at Hassocks station but did not find any footage of Mr Waterfall getting on or off a train.

He is described as 6ft, slim and weighing about 12 stone, with short, straight light brown hair and bluegreen eyes.

He was last seen wearing a bottle green shirt, white vest top, dark trousers and a dark waterproof jacket.

His bike is a dark grey Ridgeback Meteor, with distinctive handlebars.

He is a keen cyclist, he also practices tai chi and he smokes roll-up cigarettes.

Mid Sussex District Police are urging members of the public to come forward with any sightings and contact them on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Serial 1717 of August 22.