Police searching for a 79-year-old walker who went missing in mid-Wales two weeks ago have appealed for local people to check their sheds and garages.

Gwent Police say they are increasingly concerned for the welfare of Philip Blake, who has not been seen since he set off from the Abergavenny area on a hiking trip on 13 May.

No trace of the pensioner has been found despite widespread searches involving mountain rescue units and police helicopters, and appeals in the media.

Mr Blake was last seen leaving his B&B

Inspector Peter Davies of Monmouth Police said: "We are now extremely concerned for the welfare of Mr Blake and would urge all people, farm and landowners to check their buildings, outbuildings, fields and garages for any trace or signs that he has been there.

"Anyone who might have information or sightings of Mr Blake are urgently asked to contact us."

Police admitted last week they would not be organising further searches unless they had a positive sighting.

Looking for the missing man was like trying to find "a needle in a haystack", they said.

Experienced hiker

Mr Blake set off from Pandy near Abergavenny on a hiking trip along Offa's Dyke in the Black Mountains, on Monday, 13 May.

An experienced walker, he was wearing wet weather gear but did not have any overnight camping equipment with him.

Inspector Davies: 'Very concerned'

The walker from Herefordshire was last seen wearing blue waterproof trousers, a tweed hat and carrying a rucksack.

The search was initially concentrated in the Hay Bluff area, but police then began searching places where he might have stayed.

Last week, more than 600 walkers helped rescuers on an extensive search of a 27-mile area.

But they found nothing.

Another walker has come forward to say that he spoke to Mr Blake but they split up and went in different directions.

Members of the Central Brecon Mountain Rescue Team also mounted a search of a large area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Any person with information please contact Abergavenny Police Station on 01873 852273.