Police today launched a full-scale search for a 27-year-old stroke victim who has been missing overnight.

Teams of mounted police and tracker dogs were searching Ravenscliffe estate and woodland for Claude Seymour Brown, who left his home in Falkland Road at 5pm last night to walk his Yorkshire Terrier, Max.

His wife Linda, 40, has appealed for help to find him. Claude, known as Chico, had only been out of hospital for two weeks after suffering a stroke.

Mrs Brown, who is separated from her husband, said: "I'm extremely worried about him. We were out all night searching but nobody has seen a thing.

"He couldn't get very far as he was unsteady on his feet. He's like a child and we have had to do everything for him.

"He was only going round the block for ten minutes and it was the first time he'd been out on his own since coming out of hospital.

"He had no money or identification on him and he wasn't dressed for a long walk. He's very distinctive as he's very tall and he's got my 15-year-old daughter's duffel coat on, which is too small for him." Mrs Brown said she had been her husband's official carer since he had the stroke in October. "His family live in Leeds and they've gone to Jamaica for Christmas so they don't know he's missing. We just want him home safe and sound for Christmas."

Inspector Paul Taylor, of Eccleshill Police, said they were very concerned. "It was very cold last night and it's especially worrying because of his medical condition.

"We think perhaps he has got confused and tried to take shelter somewhere or perhaps he has fallen as he was unsteady on his feet.

"We're asking residents to keep a look out for him and to check their gardens and sheds."

Mr Brown is described as Afro Caribbean, 6ft4in tall, of proportionate build and is bald. He was wearing light grey tracksuit bottoms, a blue T-shirt, a dark grey cardigan and the ill-fitting beige duffel coat. The dog is a long haired, black and tan Yorkshire terrier with grey flecks.

Anyone with information should contact Eccleshill Police on Bradford 376059.

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