Hopes are fading for a missing Bradford man who failed to return from a trip while walking alone in the mountains of Majorca.

A major search operation was continuing today for Peter Smiddy, 65, a retired police inspector, who left his hotel last Monday at 10am for a trek to the mountains, popular among hikers but also known by locals as treacherous.

A Foreign Office spokesman said Mr Smiddy's wife Sheila raised the alarm the following morning when he failed to return.

A huge search operation involving a team of 50 police officers, mountain rescue experts, Red Cross volunteers and a Guardia Civil helicopter has been taking place for almost a week.

Mr Smiddy's son Andrew flew out to the island at the weekend.

Speaking from her home in Grange Road, Eldwick, Mr Smiddy's daughter-in-law said she was too upset to comment.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "He has still not been found, despite the efforts of rescuers. The search is continuing."

Mr Smiddy was on holiday with his wife, staying at the Hotel Romantic in Puerto Pollensa. The couple returned to the Majorca resort after a holiday in the same area last year.

He was last seen by a bus driver who dropped him in the Escorca area of the island, between the towns of Lluc and Soller.

He was described as wearing a red shirt and shorts and was carrying a rucksack.

A farmer saw a man fitting his description descending the Puig Tomir mountain earlier in the week.