DIVERS trawled the River Foss in York on the second day of the search for a missing 22-year-old man.

Fears were growing for the welfare of Robert Ailwood, who disappeared after a night out with friends earlier this week.

A specialist police diving team from Northumbria Police was brought in to search the river just before 1pm yesterday, as officers on foot continued to comb the city centre's streets.

The alarm was first raised after Mr Ailwood failed to return home or show up at work on Thursday morning.

Initially his friends went out to look for him - but a full-scale police search was launched later that day, after Mr Ailwood's mobile phone was found abandoned in Piccadilly.

The Press reported yesterday how firefighters spent more than three hours in their rescue boat on the Foss, but they found nothing.

Police have now released a photograph and description of Mr Ailwood, who lives in the Hull Road area of York. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts is urged to get in touch.

He is 5ft 6ins tall, slightly built with brown eyes and cropped, blond hair. When he disappeared he was wearing a dark grey jumper with a front zip over a t-shirt, dark jeans and white Adidas trainers.

Officers also revealed they were keen to speak to the man who found Mr Ailwood's mobile phone in Piccadilly.

A spokesman said: "He gave the phone to Mr Ailwood's friends who were searching for him, but did not leave his name. Officers believe this helpful individual may have valuable information."

Mr Ailwood was last seen at about 11.30pm on Wednesday in St Sampson's Square in the city centre.

Anyone who has any information about Mr Ailwood's whereabouts is asked to phone York Police immediately on 0845 6060247.

  • A vulnerable woman has been found safe and well in York, after she went missing early on Thursday.

Police had appealed for help in finding Adelle Plevey, 29, who was last seen at her home in Acomb. Officers were particularly concerned for her welfare because she had been depressed lately.

She was found in the city centre yesterday afternoon.