The family of a man missing in Cornwall for more than a week have described every day that goes by without finding him as “torture.”

Friends and family of David Newby, known to many as Dave, had to stand down a public search on Saturday to give space for police to send out tracker dogs, in the hope of picking up his scent.

People have been asked not to head out for the time being, to avoid contaminating any trails or scents, although they are still urged to “keep their eyes and ears to the ground” while out and about.

David’s niece Claire, who has been giving daily updates, said of Saturday: “Another day of desperately searching for Dave.

“We had to stand down the public search. The reason given was the police search and rescue team placed their dogs back out in hope to find Dave’s scent. We can't risk contamination of any potential site or area. So we gave the police the space they needed, despite our eagerness to continue publicly.

“We encourage people to keep their eyes and ears to the ground until we get another green light.

“Our pursuit to find or bring Dave home is stronger than ever. This really is torture, on our family and those that are close to Dave.”

David was last seen in Penzance in the afternoon on Friday, November 10.

He was last seen wearing blue trousers, green wellies and a black O’Neill Ski Coat. He has butterfly tattoos and is 5ft 7in tall, with shoulder-length light brown and grey hair.

Falmouth Packet: There have been no confirmed sightings of David since Friday, November 10There have been no confirmed sightings of David since Friday, November 10 (Image: Claire Newby/Facebook)

So far the search has concentrated largely on the Mullion area, after his car was seen in the Chypons Road area of the village, although yesterday it also extended towards Gweek and Penryn.

It was thought someone could be heard knocking on a door late at night between Saturday and Sunday last weekend, near to the chocolate factory in Mullion, and on Wednesday a dog walker reported hearing a man coughing and sneezing in some bushes, within the fields above Polurrian beach.

However, despite extensive searches from emergency services – including Devon and Cornwall Police, Mullion Coastguard Rescue Team, West Cornwall Search and Rescue Team, and the crew of the Lizard Lifeboat – as well as members of the public, David has yet to be found.

Speaking to the Packet on Friday, a friend of the family, Tracy Orchard, who has been helping in the searches, urged people to check their sheds and outhouses for the 72-year-old, who may have been trying to shelter from the recent wind and rain, and who could now no longer have the energy to move.

Anyone with any information on David's whereabouts, or who thinks they may have spotted him, is asked to call police immediately on 999, quoting log number 443 of 15/11/23.