POLICE are trying to verify a possible sighting of missing man Graham Roskell – as his distraught family issued a heartfelt plea for more help from the public.

Mr Roskell, 65, went missing from Harrogate District Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment, on November 3. Despite a huge search operation there has been no trace of him since.

It has now been revealed that a man aged 60 to 65, who bore a strong resemblance to Mr Roskell, was seen walking along the road from Spofforth towards North Deighton between 11am and 11.30am that morning.

“We need to establish who this man was, so that we can concentrate on other lines of enquiry,” said Acting Sergeant Ed Rogerson.

Family and friends have also been searching for him and have now made another public plea for help.

“Our dad has been missing and not receiving treatment for his condition for over a week now,” they said in a statement.

“Every day that passes feels like a year, and we are truly grateful for the help we have had from everyone to help us get this far.

“Our family has been torn apart and every member of our family has been out there searching.

“Although farmers, landowners and rural businesses may have already checked their outbuildings and sheltered areas, we are urging those people to regularly check, as he may have moved around, or be unable to respond to people simply calling his name.

“There are now over 5,000 members on the ‘Find Graham Roskell’ Facebook page, and more are joining every day. It’s not too late to get involved and help in any way you can as we still know that he is out there somewhere.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option two – and ask for Harrogate police.