Missing DJ Derek: Police make national appeal

DJ Derek has played sets at Glastonbury and the Big Chill

Police are widening the search for a missing 73-year-old DJ from Bristol.

Derek Serpell-Morris, who has played sets at Glastonbury under the name DJ Derek, was reported missing by his family on 23 July.

Det Ch Insp Matthew Iddon said the last "credible" sightings on CCTV had been at Yate bus station on 17 July.

He said "exhaustive inquires" had been made in Bristol, and the South West, but it was now time to widen out the search to everywhere in the country.

"Mr Serpell-Morris had a passion for travelling long distances to visit newly-opened Wetherspoon pubs and may have been setting-off from the bus station in South Gloucestershire," Det Ch Insp Iddon said.

DJ Derek has played sets at Glastonbury and the Big Chill

"This sighting was made by two people who have known Derek for a long time and they had a conversation with Derek who confirmed he was still living at the same address.

"We know that Derek uses public transport extensively in South Gloucestershire.

"We are working on the theory that Derek was transiting through the Yate area when he was sighted on 16 or 17 July."

Previously his great niece, Jennifer Griffiths, said she was losing hope of finding him alive.

Mr Serpell-Morris is described as a white male, of average height, of slim build with grey hair. He also wears glasses.

DJ Derek is known to thousands of people and has played hundreds of sets at local clubs and pubs, as well as at the Glastonbury festival.

The former accountant, a resident of St Pauls in Bristol since 1978, has played across the UK and appeared at the Big Chill.

He also released his own compilation album, worked with Massive Attack and appeared in a Dizzee Rascal video.