Family in appeal to missing man
Great-grandfather Jeffery Blake was last seen by his 29-year-old daughter, Vikki, at his home in Fowler Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, at 9pm on Monday.
He was reported missing the following day. Police using dog teams and family members have searched Watermead Country Park after a note was found at his home, saying he had gone to the beauty spot to get some exercise.
Mr Blake's eldest daughter Michelle, 39, has begged her father to come home.
She said: "We are all very distressed. We want him back. Mum does not know what to do with herself.
"There is no explanation for him going missing. He enjoys going out walking, but he has never been gone overnight.
"We are getting more and more desperate to hear from him. We are beginning to fear the worst."
Michelle said the alarm was raised after her daughter, Cherie-Anne, had gone to visit Mr Blake at lunchtime on Tuesday to find the house empty and the day's post in the letterbox.
When Vikki, who lives next door to her father, went to check at 4pm, he was still not home.
Vikki let herself in to his house and found the note.
Michelle, who searched Watermead Park with family and friends by torchlight into the early hours of Wednesday, said: "We have tried to go to all the places we could think of that he might go to, but there is nothing.
"We are desperate for any information."
She appealed to dog walkers, saying her father was fond of talking to pet owners, particularly about his beloved border collie, Tam, which died last year.
Mr Blake is white, about 5ft 8in, slim, with short, dark brown, receding hair which is greying at the sides.
He may be wearing a deerstalker camouflage jacket.
A police spokeswoman said their efforts to trace Mr Blake were "ongoing" and "extensive" at both Watermead Park and in Beaumont Leys.
Anyone who recognises Mr Blake and believes they have seen him since Monday should contact police on 0116 222 2222.
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