THE brother and sister of a missing man have spoken about their worries after he spent a second night out in freezing weather.

Jim Hawthornthwaite and Renee Lords said they were growing increasingly concerned for their brother Jack, 70, who has not been seen since he walked out of Highfield Nursing Home in his slippers, at about 1am on Tuesday.

Jim,, 76 of Ashton House, Ashton Road, Darwen said: "I honestly do not know where he has gone. I was with him on Monday. I went to Highfield and asked him if he fancied a trip out. He seemed fine, but when I was woken by the police at 3am the news came as a complete shock.

"We have been looking for him but there has been no sign. The more time goes on the more we become concerned. Jack has not been the same since he developed cancer in his throat. He was treated at Manchester's Christie Hospital and the cancer cleared, but I think it had a knock-on effect in his mind.

"He originally stayed at Cambridge House but moved to Highfield about nine months ago, he seemed to be happy there."

Jack's son, John, who lives in Reading, has been contacted. He also has other relatives in Darwen, Hull and a brother believed to be in the Burnley area.

Renee, 72, said: "It is such a shame, Jack and I have only really just started talking again after a number of years. He was very close to Jim though. I am extremely worried about him."

Jack left the home on Sudell Road, Darwen wearing a blue jacket, which Jim said was not suited for cold temperatures, a white T-shirt, navy bottoms and slippers.

Night temperatures have dipped to zero again this week and police said they were growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Officers conducted door to door inquiries and the force helicopter hovered over the town yesterday at noon broadcasting his description over a loud speaker.

William Lee, owner of Highfield Residential Home said Jack's disappearance is totally out of character.

"Jack is a fairly mobile man anyway," said Mr Lee "He always nips into town for some bread or to do some shopping, but he always comes back in an hour."

"Jack was sitting downstairs having a cigarette, he sometimes gets up in the night. The person who was with him went to do some laundry. When she came back up Jack had gone and the door was open.

"The police were called within 10 minutes of him disappearing and I was called out by the night warden. Since then I have been helping to look for him but there has been no sign."

Inspector Stuart Caley of Lancashire Police is leading the hunt. He said concern was growing the longer Jack was missing.

"Officers from Darwen, our support unit at Great Harwood and representatives of the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team are searching the area."