THE search for missing Rory Johnson-Hatfield in York's River Ouse has been completed for the day. Boats operated by the police Regional Underwater Search Team and York Rescue Boat took part in the search, which focused on the river near Skeldergate Bridge. Dave Benson, founder of the rescue boat charity, said tonight that police divers went in the water about three times today, once upstream of the bridge near the Bonding Warehouse and a couple of times just downstream of the bridge. However, nothing of significance was found. They intend to resume the search tomorrow.

The investigation continued yesterday with officers following up inquiries and reviewing CCTV footage.

Rory, 29, of Skipton, has not been seen since the early hours of last Friday, while he was on a night out in York. He had been staying at the York Central Travelodge in Piccadilly.

Police say he had been drinking in the neighbouring Postern Gate Wetherspoon pub on Thursday, where he had met a fellow hotel guest and the guest's father. He went with them to another pub nearby at about 11.30pm.

He then left the second pub at 12.30am, but the other guest believed he had gone to the toilet or returned to the hotel. This information was provided to police by the other guest, who was not familiar with York, and did not know the name of the pub they visited.

One line of inquiry being followed up by police is that Rory got into difficulty while walking near the River Ouse in the Castle Mills area.

Rory is white, aged 29, 5ft 11in tall, slim build, with short blond hair. He was wearing a round-neck black top, blue jeans and white and navy trainers.

Members of the Yorkshire and the Humber marine search unit used sonar equipment throughout Monday to check the riverbed, a standard practice before sending specially-trained divers into the water.

A diver entered the river close to the Bonding Warehouse, to investigate a section of the river slightly upstream from there but nothing of significance was discovered.

Missing posters have gone up in pubs, clubs, shops and walls across the city and dozens of people have posted their pleas on a special Facebook group, called Rory Johnson is missing! Around 10,000 people have now joined the group. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/roryjohnson/)

Elizabeth Martland posted: “I'm Rory's Aunty and we are distraught with worry, please, someone must know something of his whereabouts.”

Chris Parr of Cleckheaton posted: “On our way back from York. Posters put everywhere pubs, clubs, shops, walls, the search continues. We WILL find you buddy. Thank you for everyone's support.”

Julie Allen said: “The lads have done a fantastic job and covered York in missing posters. Rest up now lads you've done yourselves proud - he's got amazing mates.”

Sherry Webb appealed for anyone in the Castle Mills / St George's field area in York to check their gardens, garages, outhouses and buildings, implying that one of the last sightings of Rory had been in this area.

The charity Missing People has also thrown its backing behind the search.

Spokesman Paul Joseph urged the public to help find Rory and also issued a direct appeal to the 29-year-old Skipton man.

He said: "Rory we are here for you whenever you are ready; we can listen, talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe.”

Missing People runs a free confidential 24 hour helpline, 116 000.

Meanwhile, Jackie Roberts, the mother of 20-year-old student Megan Roberts, who drowned in the River Ouse when walking home after a night out in January 2014, has said she feels for Rory’s family as they wait to hear news.

She was speaking in support of the Royal Life Saving Society UK as it issued a warning about the dangers of rivers in winter, saying it often brought floods and high water on dark nights and mornings.

She said: “I feel for Rory’s family as they wait to hear news.”

Scanning equipment was used on York's rivers on Monday as the search continued for Rory and after friends and relatives issued emotional appeals on Sunday night for help in tracing him.

Rory's father, Douglas Hatfield, appealed through the press on Sunday for the York public's help in tracing his son.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said on Tuesday: “Rory’s family are being supported by officers at this very distressing time."

The force said Rory had left the Travelodge very early on Friday morning.

A spokesman said: “Rory never returned to the hotel and he failed to turn up for work in Skipton on Friday evening.

“His mobile phone is also going to answer phone and he has not been in contact with his family, which is out of character.

“Extensive police enquiries are ongoing to trace Rory and to establish his movements on Thursday evening and into the early hours of Friday morning.

“One line of inquiry is that Rory may have got into difficulty while walking near the River Ouse in the City Mills and Skeldergate Bridge area after midnight.”

Can you help?

Anyone who recalls seeing Rory or someone matching his description in York on Thursday evening or Friday is asked to phone police on 101 without delay, quoting reference 1215020714