MOUNTAIN rescue, police and sniffer dogs today stepped up a massive search following the disappearance of a 10-year-old boy and an elderly man.

Both have been missing overnight in the Debdale area of Gorton but police do not believe they are together.

A police spokesman said their disappearance is a coincidence.

Officers are particularly concerned for 77-year-old John Critchley because he suffers from dementia and has difficulties communicating with people.

 The pensioner, from Bowling Road in Gorton, does not have any money from him and was last seen by family at 10.30am yesterday (Wednesday).

They are also concerned about the welfare of 10-year-old Dillon Hall from Goredale Avenue, Gorton, because he has never been missing overnight before.

The youngster, who was last seen by his sister in Debdale Park yesterday afternoon, suffers from attention deficit disorder.

Last night and in the early hours of this morning police and up to 50 mountain rescue people scoured open land and waterways in Debdale Park, Gorton Cemetery and a nearby golf course.

Garry Rhodes MBE, team leader Bolton Mountain Rescue, said they had been joined by Rossendale, Pendle and Oldham rescue teams.

He said: "We were called out at about 3.30 in the morning to look for the elderly man. As we were en route we were told that by coincidence there was also a 10-year-old boy missing from the same area.

"We used canoes to search the waterways in the park and we have also searched the golf club and cemetery.

"Before we were called in the police had already began to search the area on foot and with the police helicopter."

Debdale Park runs alongside the A57 Hyde Road in Gorton. It has two reservoirs and a boating lake which is used for recreation purposes. It is next door to the Tameside Trail and a large area of farm and open land close to the M60.

According to the young boy's family, he has been missing before but has never been away from home overnight.

When he was last seen in the park yesterday afternoon he was wearing a blue tracksuit. He is 5ft 8in.

Mr Critchley is white and of slim build and when last seen was wearing a short-sleeved blue shirt, navy trousers, a black jacket and black shoes.

Anyone who knows where the two may be or who have seen that at any time overnight is asked to contact police on 0161 872 5050.

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