POLICE now believe a missing East Yorkshire man may be in the York area.

Graham Waugh, 58, contacted his family last night for the first time since going missing from his home in Ashtree Crescent, North Cave, on Sunday morning.

His grey Ford Escort was found in the early hours of Tuesday in Goathland.

Humberside Police said there was no sign of Mr Waugh, and his family could think of no reason for him to visit the North York Moors village.

"Police are concerned for the welfare of Mr Waugh as his disappearance is thought to be out of character," a spokeswoman said.

"Mr Waugh's family have spoken to him late last night. As a result, he is now believed to be in the York area."

Scarborough and District Search and Rescue Team spent more than 11 hours combing "Heartbeat country" for Mr Waugh, after being alerted by Whitby Police on Tuesday.

A group of 14 team members and a rescue dog searched for him, later being joined by 12 members of the Cleveland Search and Rescue team.

Team spokesman Dave Ward said: "Members went home and the team went back to being on standby in the event of any more clues turning up and the police requiring further searches."

Mr Waugh is described as white, 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with dark, greying short hair, and a fair complexion.

At the time he went missing, he may have been wearing light-coloured jeans.

Updated: 11:33 Thursday, March 28, 2002