POLICE and mountain rescue volunteers have been searching the area around the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Blackburn, in the hope of finding missing man David Young.

Officers from the Operations Support Unit, with help from Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, started trawling the towpaths and vegetation around the water near to Albion Street, and ventured as far as the Infirmary area in one direction, and to the Top Lock at Feniscowles in the other.

Nothing of significance was found.

Mr Young, 28, who ‘sofa surfed’ at the houses of friends in Blackburn, has not been seen since he was in the Co-op on Livesey Branch Road on October 17 at around 10.30pm.

Police also want to trace a man who found Mr Young’s mobile phone near on the canal towpath near Albion Street, shortly after he was last seen.

Detective Inspector Mark Winstanley of Blackburn CID said: “Our enquiries have revealed that a man found a mobile phone owned by Mr Young near the canal shortly after 10.30pm on October 17. “

The man has gone through the call records and called the last person on the list, saying he had the phone.

“We are now keen to trace that man because he might be able to help us find Mr Young. He is not in any trouble, and can speak in confidence if he wants to.” 

Police have not recovered the phone, which could either be a pink or black Nokia.

Mr Young is described as white, 5ft 9ins tall with short dark hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a blue and black stripy jumper and Adidas tracksuit bottoms when he was last seen. Call the police on 101.