DIVERS searched the River Lune and Lancaster Canal yesterday (Wednesday) for the body of a man who has been missing from home for three weeks.

A police underwater search team was called in after a bike and clothing found on the canal towpath were identified as belonging to Mark Stackhouse.

The 28-year-old has not been seen by his family since the beginning of February.

Mark, of Station Road, Lancaster, has gone missing before, and his family initially tried to trace him without help. But mounting concerns led them to contact police last Friday.

Insp Dave Hayes says Mark has a history of mental illness and has attempted suicide.

Police inquiries revealed that he was a keen cyclist - and a bike found earlier this month on the aqueduct crossing the River Lune near Halton has now been identified as his.

But Insp Hayes stresses: "We are not assuming the worst. People do very strange things - it could be that Mark left his clothing behind and has gone on somewhere else. But it is certainly an avenue we have to explore."

Police are appealing for him to get in touch, or for anyone who has seen Mark to call Lancaster police on 01524-63333.