The family of a missing 86-year-old man have thanked the local community for their help as the search for him enters a third day.

Officers, a police helicopter, detectives, search specialists, police dogs, and volunteers from Warwickshire Search and Rescue have been out searching for John who was last seen at Abbey Fields next to Finham Brook at around 9.20am on Tuesday 3 December.

"So too have you, the public, stepped up and taken to the streets and the countryside around Kenilworth to look for John," a Warwickshire Police statement said.

"We know this means a huge amount to the John’s loved ones and, from our view, it goes back to a phrase from the dawn of modern policing, ‘the police are the public and the public are the police’."

Police believe he entered the water in Abbey Fields on Tuesday but got out of the water and continued walking.

Warwickshire Police believes John is still either in the area of Kenilworth or the surrounding countryside.

John, 86, was last seen in Abbey Fields (image via Warwickshire Police)

The latest image (at the top of this article) was taken on Tuesday morning and shows what John was wearing when he went missing.

One of the officers involved in the search has just said: “I want to thank residents and say that they are showing amazing community spirit and humanity with the efforts they are doing.”

The force has also shared some words from John's son Jonathan.

He said: "The whole family is really worried for John, he's beloved by all who know him and we just want our Pop back.

"We've been out with the police as the search goes on and I would like to urge anyone who reads this to stay vigilant and to call 999 straight away if they see him.

"If I could speak to him directly now, I'd ask him to please just reach out to someone nearby and ask for help.

"The whole town wants to help you."

And for those wanting to help, police are would "absolutely welcome you walking in the area of open ground near Kenilworth Castle and the surrounding countryside and calling us on 999 if you see anything".

"If you do see anything and you are unable to approach, please remain at the scene if you can so officers can be directed when they arrive," officers added.

"If you are out in those areas, if possible please avoid wearing a dark blue coat or jacket. We are receiving a high volume of calls from people mistakenly reporting these as sightings of John."

 "Please also do not attempt to enter bodies of water to search for John. We have trained specialists who can do this and if you place yourself in danger you will diverting our resources away from the search."