POLICE searching for missing York man Edward Machin are focusing on an East Yorkshire village after a reported sighting.

The 39-year-old was reported missing on Monday after he failed to log on for a webchat with a friend and did not turn up for work.

North Yorkshire Police said today that Mr Machin, also known as Ed, was dropped off by a taxi at the White Horse Inn at Bempton, near Bridlington, last Thursday afternoon and house-to-house checks are now being carried out in the area. Volunteer search and rescue officers are also concentrating their search around the village.

Today, his brother Ben Machin urged Edward to get in touch.

He said: “Ed is a genuine, kind and gentle person and is very considerate of other people. He would never do anything to put anyone out or let them down, it is completely alien to him, which is why his lack of contact and missing social events is so out of character.

“He is very conscientious and after an hour of him not turning up for work we knew immediately that something was wrong. 

"Ed, I cannot stress how worried we are, please get in touch with us, the police or Missing People. No matter what is wrong, we will find a way to work through it and support you, we just want you back.

“I have been completely inundated with messages and calls asking about you. Everyone wants you back home and back in their lives so please, please call us.”

The Missing People charity has joined the appeal for information about Mr Machin.

Inspector Michelle Falkingham of York Police said today: "The longer Edward remains out of contact, the more concerned we are for his safety.

"While we are concentrating our searches on the area where he was last seen, we are also exploring the possibility that Edward may have travelled somewhere else and are appealing to any public transport providers and passengers to contact us if they believe they have seen Edward either on a bus, train or taxi, or if they may have given him a lift.

"His family and friends are beside themselves with worry and we are appealing to anybody who believes they have seen Edward to get in touch. I would also like to appeal directly to Edward - if you see or hear our appeals, please get in touch with either your family, friends, the police or Missing People and let us know you are safe."

Mr Machin is white, 5ft 4in tall, slim and with dark brown hair and blue-grey eyes. When he was last seen. he was wearing a dark jacket, light shirt, jeans and brown shoes. His brother Ben has made an appeal for him to get in touch, with police believing Mr Machin travelled to Scarborough by train last Thursday.

Anybody with information should phone North Yorkshire Police's control room on 101 or Missing People in confidence on 116000.