A POLICEMAN has mysteriously disappeared 90 minutes before he was due to go on duty.

PC Michael James Hickey, 24, from Blackburn, was due to report to Collyhurst police station in Greater Manchester at 3pm on Saturday.

But he never turned up, despite being seen leaving his home around an hour-and-a-half earlier.

Now colleagues are trying to solve the mystery after hearing nothing from him for three days.

There were fears yesterday that a body found on the railway at Nelson may be that of the missing officer but it was later found to be that of a local man.

Police bosses are concerned about PC Hickey's welfare and have urged him to contact his fellow officers.

PC Hickey joined the Greater Manchester force as a probationer in 1994 and is single. His bosses say there was no indication that he was depressed.

PC Hickey is 6ft 2in tall, of medium build with a fresh/pale complexion. He has short, fair hair, receding at the front.

He owns a black Ford Fiesta car with the registration D556 KNE, which he was driving when he was last seen.

It is believed he may have been dressed in blue jeans and brown shoes or boots.

Supt Alan Green, PC Hickey's sub-divisional commander at Collyhurst, has asked for any information to be passed to Collyhurst police on 0161 872 5050.

A police spokesman said: "We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen PC Hickey or who may know his whereabouts."

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