Missing man from Manchester may have been spotted in the Southport and Formby area

Merseyside police have released a statement.

Can you help our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police locate missing person Paul Ryan? 

Paul is a 50 year old, white male, around 5ft 11 with dirty blonde medium length hair. 

When he was last seen he was wearing a Berghaus/Trespass jacket with jeans, a navy blue baseball cap and carrying a dark navy blue backpack. 

Officers believe he may have been sighted in the Formby/Southport area. Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 9262 quoting reference 1782/021221 or MSP/06GG/0002438/21.

Paul Ryan, 50, was last seen on Manchester Road in Denton, near the junction which leads to the library, at around 9pm on Wednesday 1 December 2021. Earlier that evening, Paul was captured on CCTV in Asda on Cavendish Street, Ashton.

He is described as being approximately 5ft 11in tall and of a slim to medium build with short to medium length blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured coat over a short sleeved chequered shirt, black cargo-style trousers and blue trainers.

Paul lives on Mansfield Crescent off Corporation Road, Denton and spends time in the Crown Point area. He also has links to Ashton and Dukinfield, particularly Peel and Newton Terraces.

Detective Inspector Matt Berry, of GMP's Tameside district, said: "Paul was reported missing by his brother on Thursday 2nd December 2021, after he didn't turn up to his mother's funeral.

"Since Paul was reported missing, we have completed extensive enquiries - including, but not limited to, a multi-agency search of Audenshaw Reservoirs and the surrounding areas, utilising the services of specially trained dogs. As a result, we have recovered a bag - which we believe belongs to Paul.

"We are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare and want to ensure that he is safe and well.

"I directly appeal to anyone with information to contact us - we are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has seen Paul since 9pm on Wednesday 1st December 2021, particularly in the area around Audenshaw Reservoirs, or who has become friends with him and is aware of his whereabouts."

Anyone with information should contact us quoting Operation Midway via 0161 856 9262.