CONCERN over the whereabouts of a man who went missing from his Linford home is growing as the police search for him enters its fourth day.

Officers were alerted to the fact David Burgess, 53, was missing on Monday.

Since then, they have been scouring the rural and relatively remote areas of West Tilbury, Linford and East Tilbury with sniffer dogs and assistance from the police helicopter, but have been unable to find Mr Burgess.

He was last seen in the West Tilbury area on Saturday, August 16, after leaving his home to go out walking.

The family of Mr Burgess, a lover of the outdoors, alerted police when he did not return home in time for work on Monday morning.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ch Insp Andy Fusher said: "Mr Burgess has always worked outdoors and has never missed a day’s work in his life. It is completely out of character for him to go missing in this way.

"We are now extremely concerned that he might have been taken ill or has had some sort of accident in a remote area of farmland or marshes."

When last seen Mr Burgess was wearing a blue zip-up fleece, blue jeans, a blue baseball cap and green wellington boots.

He is 5ft 10in tall, and has cropped and thinning hair. He also has tattoos on the back of both his hands.

If you have seen Mr Burgess or have any idea of his whereabouts, please contact Essex Police on 101.