Fears are growing that a man who disappeared from a village near Chippenham four months ago may have died, as efforts continue to locate him.
Timothy Strange went missing from Sutton Benger on Thursday 18 June – with a major search operation launched that afternoon.
Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Search and Rescue and other specialist teams from neighbouring counties were involved in an urgent hunt for the 55-year-old.
Despite extensive searches locally, Mr Strange remains missing and there are growing concerns that he may have died in woodland near the village.
A source close to the family told Wiltshire 999s that he is believed to have left home carrying a rope and knife in a rucksack.
It’s claimed an ANPR camera recorded Mr Strange’s vehicle at an Aldi supermarket the previous evening, where he is thought to have purchased alcohol.
It is also understood that there has been no banking activity since his disappearance, while his car has been left abandoned. He did not have his mobile phone.
Posters have recently been put up around Sutton Benger in the hope of encouraging people to check woodland, fields and other areas of private land for any sign of him.
Particular attention is being drawn to the Sutton Lane area, where it is believed Mr Strange may have walked before disappearing.
His family have previously suggested he could be in the Charlcutt area, a short distance south-east of Sutton Benger, where he grew up.
Farmers, landowners and residents with access to areas not ordinarily accessible to the public are being encouraged to remain vigilant and carry out checks if they can.
At the time of his disappearance, police said Mr Strange was seen walking near the play park in Sutton Benger towards the High Street at around 9am on 18 June.
Officers believed he had walked from Park Lane onto the High Street at approximately 9.20am.
Wiltshire Police issued its last public appeal for information on 25 June, confirming that officers had received a potential sighting near Old Derry Hill on 20 June.
At the time, Detective Inspector Sarah Champion said: “Today marks one week since Timothy was last seen – obviously with the extreme heat conditions we are experiencing, we remain increasingly concerned about Timothy’s welfare.
“We’d urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to get in touch.”
Police also asked residents in the Old Derry Hill area to check CCTV and doorbell footage recorded on 20 June.
Mr Strange was described as white, around 5ft 7ins tall, with grey hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, blue shorts, black trainers and glasses.
Anyone with information that could help locate Mr Strange should contact Wiltshire Police on 101, quoting log 181 of 18 June.
