POLICE are continuing to appeal for help in tracing a missing man, after coastal searches were stood down.

Edwin Parsons has not been seen since Wednesday and officers are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

The 70-year-old was last seen at 8.30am in the village of Gilcrux, near Aspatria, where he lives.

He was believed to be driving a White Skoda Octavia, with the registration LX08 ZZY, in the Wallace Lane area of Maryport.

Searches - previously involving lifeboat rescue crews and the coastguard - will carry on, while officers continue to appeal for any information.

An early morning search for Mr Parsons was launched along the coast, between Maryport and Allonby, on Thursday.

Workington RNLI was called out at about 4am. The all-weather lifeboat, Dorothy May White, and the Inshore Lifeboat were launched and returned around 8am but the search resumed shortly after.

The operation continued on Friday but Belfast Coastguard said searches did not resume on Saturday.

Mr Parsons is described as white, 5ft 7", of medium build, with short brown hair.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "If anyone has seen Mr Parsons or knows his whereabouts they are asked to contact police on 101.

"If Mr Parsons sees this appeal himself he is asked to contact police to let officers know he is safe and well."