POLICE have been carrying out searches in fields on the outskirts of Bradford as they continue their search for vulnerable missing man James Huby.

The Sandy Lane resident, 54, went missing from his home in Cottingley Road in the village on Sunday, May 27.

An appeal for information about Mr Huby’s whereabouts has now been started by police as they try to track him down.

Today, officers continued to carry out searches in fields off Wilsden Road, which runs from Sandy Lane to Wilsden, searching for clues to Mr Huby’s location.

They combed through the thick grass in the fields scouring for items or clues which may help to track down Mr Huby.

He was last seen on Sunday, May 27, and was reported missing two days later.

Over the weekend, West Yorkshire Police issued photographs and a recent CCTV image of Mr Huby, who is described as white, 5ft 9ins tall with a stocky build, and balding with fair light brown hair and a stubbly beard.

Detective Inspector Matt Walker, of West Yorkshire Police, was at the search scene off Wilsden Road.

He said: “Mr Huby is married, and his wife is quite ill and is currently in hospital, and he visits her there daily.

“He has a few friends and is a regular face on his street, but he is a man who mainly kept himself to himself.

“He has left property in his house you would expect him to have with him, such as his phone and wallet, and that is why we are so concerned for him.

“Mr Huby has been missing for more than a week now and has not contacted his wife for a week, so for these reasons we are appealing for any information from people who may have seen him."

Detective Inspector Damian Simpson, of Bradford District CID, added: “We are very concerned for James’ welfare and I am urgently appealing for information from anyone who may have seen him in the last few days.

“He is vulnerable and may well be in need of prescription medication, and we are conducting widespread enquiries to find him, including searches by an NPAS helicopter.”

The NPAS helicopter has been used in the search for Mr Huby, as well as police officers searching on the ground, and police have also used a drone to assist in the search.

Anyone who has any information about Mr Huby’s whereabouts, or who may have seen him since he went missing on Sunday, May 27, is asked to contact Bradford District CID by calling 101, and quoting police log number 906 of Tuesday, May 29, or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.