POLICE are investigating a possible sighting of Jack Hawthornthwaite, the man who has been missing for more than a week.

Detectives said they received a report of a man fitting Jack's description on Priory Drive, Darwen, about 15 hours after he was reported missing.

A man wearing a black shirt and brown slippers was seen walking along the road at about 4pm last Tuesday.

The report came to police at Darwen on Thursday but details have only just been released.

PC Jim Wood said: "This possible sighting is a vital clue to us. Especially as the colour of the shirt has changed.

"Originally, Mr Hawthornthwaite was described as having a turquoise, navy and white shirt. It is possible he changed during that day."

"Unfortunately the person that reported the sighting did not say in which way he was going," added PC Wood.

Mr Hawthornthwaite, 69, went missing from the Highfield Residential Home on Sudell Road at about 1am last Tuesday.

He is 5ft 10ins tall and slim with a pale complexion, brown eyes and thinning grey hair.

He was wearing a light blue jacket, navy tracksuit bottoms and slippers. He walks with a staggering motion and is known to suffer dizzy spells.