HIGH winds have again grounded helicopters in the search for Hollywood actor Julian Sands it is being reported by the PA news agency.

Two weeks have now passed since the actor, who grew up in Gargrave, was first reported missing in the San Gabriel mountains in California on January 13, with numerous searches on foot and from the air having taken place.

Aerial efforts resumed briefly on Wednesday, with authorities using new technology that can detect electronic devices and credit cards.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said it was "hopeful" that the technology would be able to more accurately pinpoint an area on which to focus efforts.

But a spokesperson for the department told the PA news agency yesterday (Thursday) that strong winds had meant the air searches could not be continued.

The department previously said that fresh searches on higher ground for Mr Sands were still not possible due to poor conditions.

On Wednesday, the sheriff's department tweeted: "The search for Julian Sands continues by air only.

"The California Highway Patrol - Valley Division Air Ops from Auburn, California, is currently assisting us in the search using a Recco device.

"Recco technology can detect Recco reflective material, electronics, and in some cases, credit cards.

"We are hopeful our @CHP_HQ partners, Officers Hertzell & Calcutt, can pinpoint an area where we can focus our search efforts, and we thank them for their assistance."

Infrared devices have also been used by authorities previously, but to no effect.

Mr Sands' family in Los Angeles previously praised the "heroic" efforts of Californian authorities conducting the search efforts.

In a statement, also shared by the sheriff's department, his family said they were "deeply touched" by the support they had received in the days since his disappearance.

Earlier this week, one of his four brothers, Nick Sands, who still lives near Gargrave, told the Craven Herald how he believed his brother would not be found. He described how 'Jules' liked nothing better than being on the hills and mountains, how he was a regular visitor back home to Craven and that the brothers had been due to meet up next on Monday, for one of the brothers' Monday Clubs.

Nick said the brothers would raise a glass to Julian on Monday. He said: “He has not yet been declared missing, presumed dead, but I know in my heart that he has gone. However sibling rivalry being what it is, it would be just like him to walk out of there and prove me wrong."

Julian Sands moved to Los Angeles in 2020, following a successful career on both the big and small screen.

His breakout role came in the period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter, though he later moved to the horror genre, featuring in films such as Warlock and Arachnophobia.

More recently he played the chief medical officer in the 2021 Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi-led drama Benediction. He was also in a Radio BBC Four drama The Willows with Bill Pullman which aired over Christmas. 

From 1984 to 1987 Mr Sands was married to future Evening Standard and Today editor Sarah Sands, with whom he has a son. He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.