Family's torment since dad, 77, disappeared

Brian Blakeman, pictured with his daughter Tracey and son Martin, has been missing since December 2023

The daughter of a missing man said she has been in "constant torment" since he disappeared four months ago.

Tracey Blakeman's father Brian Blakeman, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, was last seen in December.

Police searches have so far been unable to find any trace of the 77-year-old, and his family has organised a volunteer search for Saturday.

"It's all you think about, morning, noon and night… a constant weight on your shoulders," Ms Blakeman said.

Keen walker

Mr Blakeman – a keen walker – left his home in the Ashurst area of Skelmersdale on 5 December wearing a navy fleece with an Everton imprint on it.

It is believed he left his house between 11:00 and 12:00 GMT but Ms Blakeman said “nothing is definite” as he was home alone at the time.

About 40 reported sightings have been investigated by Lancashire Police but none has been confirmed as a sighting of the grandfather-of-four.

Police have told Ms Blakeman and her brother Martin there was no evidence he had been on public transport.

Brian Blakeman has been described by family as a "jolly" and "kind-hearted" man

'No evidence he travelled'

Ms Blakeman – who last saw her father in November - believes he became confused while walking, got lost and had not been able to find his way home.

She said he could be somewhere nearby or “out in a field several miles away”.

“ I can’t see us resting until we find something, until we get a conclusion.” the 49-year-old said.

Five wooded areas which have been searched by police helicopter will be the focus of the volunteer search.

Brian Blakeman on a shopping trip with grandson Darcy and son Martin

Hope for clues

The family hope they can find clues in the wooded areas across the Beacon in Skelmersdale now the weather is becoming clearer.

Ms Blakeman said: “In the early days you keep hopeful, but as time goes by the hope of finding him completely disappears and you just don’t stop thinking about it.”

Lancashire Police is urging anyone with information to contact the force.

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