Police have tonight stood down the search for missing North Craven walker Grant Cunliffe.

A third day of searches has failed to find any trace of the 49-year-old and his family have been made aware there will be no further searches tomorrow.

Mr Cunliffe, from Long Preston, has been missing in the Cairngorms since Thursday 19 January 2012.

About 180 rescue personnel have been involved in the searches over the past three days.

Today, between 65 and 70 rescuers took part in a first light search for Mr Cunliffe. The team included representatives from Northern Constabulary, Grampian Police, Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team,Braemar Mountain Rescue Team, RAF and Leuchars Mountain Rescue Teams, SARDA dogs, and Rescue One Three Seven from Lossiemouth.

The areas the search teams were concentrating on today were the hills around Corrour Bothy, Angel's Peak, Devil's Point and Cairn Toul and the corries around these.

Mr Cunliffe, an experienced walker, was believed to have walked into Corrour Bothy in the Larig Ghru pass on Wednesday, January 18, intending to go hillwalking on the Thursday and Friday before returning home. He was reported overdue on Saturday, January 21.

Mr Cunliffe is described as 5ft 10ins, slim build, balding, wearing a blue waterproof jacket and black waterproof trousers, carrying a large black rucksack.

Anyone who believes that they met Mr Cunliffe in the Cairngorms between Wednesday 18 January and Friday 20 January 2012 is urged to contact Aviemore Police on 01479 810222 as they may have information regarding his movements prior to his disappearance.