SEARCH parties were convened on Monday morning from different rescue organisations, health services, the police and volunteers, as the hunt for a missing Lydbrook man, who had not been seen for three days, was stepped up.

Volunteers and the local Police PCSO have also been putting posters up of missing man, Daniel Brown, 28, who was last seen at his home address on The Forge last Wednesday morning (January 15).

When last seen he was wearing a lime green beanie hat, black trousers, a black fleece top and light-weight shoes.

He has been described as white, around 6ft tall with collar-length dark brown hair and a beard.

Officers say that 28-year-old Mr Brown left his home in Lydbrook with very little, if any, money and only a few personal possessions at around 11.30am last Wednesday (January 15) and hasn't been seen since.

A full police search of the immediate area, including police dogs and the police helicopter, has been conducted but his disappearance remains a mystery.

Inspector Rachel Lynch-Warden said: "It's mystifying and very concerning.

"Our inquiries have led us to believe he may have walked towards the Royal Spring Inn but the trail goes cold there.

"His phone was switched off and he may only have had a few pounds.

"The family moved to Lydbrook very recently so it is possible he could have travelled to his previous home in Newbury.

"He is also an avid gamer so maybe he met someone through his hobby and set out to see them. 

"Whatever has happened we just need everyone in Lydbrook and the surrounding area, and people in Newbury, to remain alert and call us if they see Daniel."

She added: "To Daniel we would say please get in contact. Many people are worried about you and want to know you're safe."

A helicopter visited the village several times over last weekend, as concerns grew over the welfare of Mr Brown, especially considering the low temperatures and rain that have been experienced on recent nights.

The searchers gathered outside the Forge Hammer Inn in Lower Lydbrook on Monday morning for a briefing and to sort their equipment, before they started their search by moving off up the road towards Central Lydbrook.

•Anyone with information or who sees Daniel should call police on 101, quoting incident number 414 of January 17.