MOUNTAIN rescue teams, dogs and a police helicopter have joined the search for a man who went missing after leaving to go to work in York.

North Yorkshire Police said that Nicholas Harper, 50, was last seen at his home address in Pickering at 7am on Thursday, February 7, when he left for work in his black Citroen Picasso.

Officers say they are "extremely concerned for his safety and are appealing to anyone who has seen him or knows where he is" to get in touch.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team was alerted to join the search on Friday night after Nicholas's car was found at one of the moorland car parks at Cowbank Farm near Helmsley.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the rescue team said it had been asked to search forestry and footpaths around area.

It added: "Twenty team members responded to the initial callout and, along with members of North Yorkshire Police, carried out a thorough search for around a kilometre around the car park without success.

"Police dogs and a police helicopter were also deployed.

"The search was escalated at 9am on Saturday, February 9, with 27 members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team involved along with 18 members of Scarborough and Ryedale MRT.

"Five specially trained dogs from the Mountain Rescue Search Dog Association were also deployed along with police officers and the police helicopter.

"Tracks and forestry extending up to five miles from the car park were searched in an operation that lasted around eight hours. No signs of the missing man were found."

Nicholas is described as stocky build with short dark brown hair and a full beard. He was wearing a three-piece suit and shirt.

Anyone who spots Nicholas is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police quoting reference number 12190023491.