As volunteers gathered to search for missing man Gordon Wilson today, police vowed to keep searching until all resources have been exhausted.

Around 40 volunteers gathered in Halstead for the search, some coming from as far as Harlow, to search farmland around Ravens Avenue and through the town centre.

Mr Wilson, 82, was last seen 11 days ago on Sunday, October 25. He suffers from vascular dementia and has a heart defect, although he is a keen walker.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ewen Wilson said: “About 40 people came out to help search today. Essex Fire and Rescue Search Team and the voluntary Essex Lowland Search and Rescue Team also attended the search, as well as police officers.

“The officers have been out searching for a few days now, but today’s search with members of the public and his two daughters started at noon and will continue until it gets dark.

“We are really really worried about Gordon now. I will not pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. He has a number of health issues and it is now November 5.

“I’m quite clear that I remain hopeful and I will not exclude any eventuality until I have exhausted everything.

Essex Police is confident that Mr Wilson ended up in Halstead after a man matching his description was seen getting off the number 352 bus and walking in the direction of Butler Road.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ewen Wilson added: “We have a group of detectives who are looking at everything from CCTV to witness statements trying to trace his movements, which includes going back through his life history.

“We have specialist analysts piecing together a timeline and chronology. We are working with other agencies like bus companies that he used.

“We are using specialist search dogs who are trained to search for scents, bodily fluids and displaced patches of land. The helicopter is also looking at ground disturbances.

“As time goes on we are getting more and more concerned. I will keep searching, for nothing else if not to get closure for his family. We plan to continue the search across the weekend and into next week.

“We will have a further review on Monday or Tuesday, which will involve a review of the search strategy, people from other forces will critique us to make sure we are doing everything we can do.

“I am grateful to the community around Halstead, I would wish to praise his family, especially his daughters.

Mr Wilson is described as 5ft 11 in tall and of medium build with grey thinning hair. He wears glasses and was last seen wearing a sports jacket which is either checked or navy. He usually wears a short, tie and jumper.

It is possible he may have set off across fields and people are urged to check their outhouses.

Anyone who sees him is asked to call 101 urgently.