Search for missing Fraserburgh pensioner William Ritchie to be expanded

Another intensive search of the built-up area surrounding the 90-year-old's home at West Road was launched earlier this week, with additional searches taking place in the Sandhaven area.

Moving forward a specialist team will focus their efforts in the direction of Peathill as a potential location Mr Ritchie - known as Bill - might have walked to.

Officers are asking anyone who uses any of the roads to Peathill regularly and who might have seen a man fitting Mr Ritchie's description on the roadside in the days leading up to him being reported missing on Sunday January 14, 2018, to get in touch.

Local Inspector Kevin Goldie, who has been overseeing enquiries, said: ''There are a number of routes leading from Sandhaven to Peathill, all of which will be the focus of our attention moving forward into next week. Given the fact Bill could be known to walk for miles when at his fittest and that we have found no trace of him yet, it is crucial we expand our search area.

It will be two weeks on Sunday since Bill was reported missing to Police and despite the fact some time has passed people are still coming forward with extremely helpful information. If you saw Bill in the lead-up to January 14 but think it's too late to let us know, I would still urge you to come forward.''

Anyone with information can contact Police on 101 quoting incident no. 2549 of Jan 14.

Mr Ritchie is described as being around 5ft 7, of a slim build, with short grey hair.

It is not known what he was wearing when he went missing, however he usually wears a 3/4 length black jacket and potentially a flat cap.