OFFICERS searching for a man who went missing from Billericay yesterday are searching in Chelmsford after calls from members of the public.

Richard Manning, 66, went missing after leaving a home in Meadow Rise, where he was visiting family, at 10am yesterday.

After an appeal for information, police received several calls saying Mr Manning, who is epileptic, had been seen in the Chignal area of Chelmsford at about 2am today, but he has not been seen since.

Superintendent Steve Johnson said: "I would like to thank all those people who have contacted us with information about possible sightings of Mr Manning.

"They have been of great assistance and I would now ask that anyone driving or out and about in the Chignal area of Chelmsford or the surrounding areas keeps a look out for Mr Manning.

"The last sighting of him suggests he was well but we still need to speak to him and we still have concerns about his lack of access to any medication for his epilepsy and the time that has passed since the last confirmed sighting."

When Mr Manning left his family's address in Billericay he was wearing a navy blue fleece and grey or green trousers.

He is six feet tall, of medium build with white and grey shoulder length hair. He also walks with a noticeable hunch.

Mr Manning left his relatives' home in Meadow Rise to go shopping in the High Street, but he has not been seen since.

He is from Lewisham but has not returned home.

Earlier today, police officers had invited members of the public to meet at Billericay police station if they wanted to help search for Mr Manning.

Anyone who thinks they have seen him should call Essex Police on 101.