More than 100 police officers, helped by mountain rescue and family, search for missing Riddlesden man

Tracy Watson’s dad John Durkin was last seen when he left his house in Ilkley Road to buy budgie seed in Keighley on Monday.

His car was found later the same day at Keighley Gate, just a couple of miles from his home.

Earlier in the day he had told his daughter that he felt unwell. Last year he underwent a serious heart operation.

Mrs Watson, 43, her daughter 16-year-old Caitlen and other family members along with friends, have been out every day combing the moors, footpaths and the towpath of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

An emotional Mrs Watson said: “I’m not optimistic of finding him, but we will not give up, ever.

“We don’t want him out here on his own any more.

“We’re not giving up until we find him. I couldn’t sit at home waiting for the phone to ring.

“We’ve had so many messages of sympathy and offers of help and family have come down from Scotland to be with us.”

More than 100 police officers assisted by Calder Valley Search and Rescue, the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and Mr Durkin’s family and friends have been involved in the search so far.

A spokesman for Airedale and North Bradford police said the search had been in the Keighley Gate area of the moor and in parts of Riddlesden. Special attention had also been given to outbuildings.

Mr Durkin is understood to have fallen into the Leeds-Liverpool canal at Riddlesden some time on Monday before returning home and going out again.

He visited a shop in Keighley to buy budgie seed and was later seen driving his car by a police roadside camera at about 2.20pm.

When he failed to return home that afternoon the police were alerted and his car was found during the evening parked at Keighley Gate, on the edge of Ilkley Moor. His family believe he is dressed in a black ski jacket after discovering the khaki coat they thought he was wearing hanging in his garden shed.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 6060606.