Police divers were today due to join the search for pensioner Alex Russell, who has been missing for ten days.

As police intensified their search of the countryside, divers were expected to check dykes and ditches which criss-cross the low lying land between Abingdon and Drayton. Some water courses are flooded to a depth of 6ft after recent heavy rain.

Police also want people to check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings. Mr Russell said by his family to be confused at times - may have sought shelter from heavy snow on the day he disappeared.

The police helicopter has been used four times, searching land over a wide area.

Insp Graham Sutherland, of Abingdon police, said: "We may call in horses. It is an intensive, expensive and time-consuming operation but we are determined to do all we can to find this man."