Police have found a car in the search for missing Aberdeenshire man, Martin Thomson.
Officers stepped up an operation to find the 62-year-old after he went missing from the Huntly area about 7pm on Wednesday.
Yesterday, a massive search was under way with police dogs, mountain rescue teams and an RAF search and rescue helicopter scouring the area for any sign of him.
This morning the force confirmed that a vehicle had been found, understood to be Mr Thomson’s black Mitsubishi Shogun, in Gardenstown near Banff, more than 30 miles away.
As a result of the find police have now focused their search on the Gardenstown area.
At 4.40am, the coastguard confirmed it had also been called to assist police again.
The Fraserburgh lifeboat was launched at 8.28am.
Chief Inspector Richard Craig, area commander for Aberdeenshire, said: “We are extremely concerned for Martin’s safety and we are urging the public, including walkers, dog walkers and horse riders, to be on the lookout for Martin.
“We are also asking the community to check outbuildings.
“Searches have been ongoing since Martin was reported missing and we have had assistance from specialist searchers as well as the RAF Search and Rescue helicopter.
“Martin was last seen at around 7pm on Wednesday evening and we urge anyone who has any piece of information in relation to his whereabouts to contact Police Scotland on 101.”