A search is being scaled back for a man last seen two weeks ago on a beach in the north east.

Alastair Done, from Cheshire, was last seen at Balmedie beach in Aberdeenshire on Saturday January 5.

Police inquiries suggest the 25-year-old travelled from Crewe railway station on Friday January 4 to Aberdeen.

After staying that night at the White Horse Inn in Balmedie, he was seen on CCTV in the town’s Premier convenience store at around 11am the next morning buying food and drink.

Mr Done was later spotted by a dog walker in the car park area at the beach, who raised concerns with officers.

Some of his personal items were recovered at the beach.

Detective Inspector Sam Buchan said: “To maximise the use of our resources in any missing person inquiry, we focus our searches led by the information available to us.

“In this case, our inquiries have led Alastair to the beach and we have no information at this time to suggest he left the area.

“Once all lines of inquiry are exhausted it becomes extremely difficult to know where to search next and inevitably, as times passes, our searches will scale back.

“Alastair’s family have been informed and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

A black rucksack and blue camping mat belonging to Mr Done have not yet been found.

Mr Buchan again appealed for information on his whereabouts.

He added: “The inquiry surrounding a missing person is never closed and we will continue to act on any new information that we receive.

“We have yet to locate his black rucksack and blue camping mat and ask that anyone who comes across these items to let us know as soon as possible.

“It’s not too late to get in touch with information if you think it could help and I would encourage you to get in touch by contacting police on 101 quoting reference number MP190100059.

“Once again I would like to thank the members of the public who have been in touch with information which has helped us build a better picture of Alastair’s movements once he arrived in Aberdeen.

“I would also like to thank Aberdeen Coastguard for its valuable assistance with our searches.”