THE family of a 66-year-old fell walker who went missing two weeks ago while visiting the Lake District has joined local police to issue an urgent appeal for help to find him.

Retired civil servant Christopher Dagleish, from Harrow in Middlesex, was last seen shopping in Ambleside on November 22 and officers said "concerns are deepening" for his well-being. He is described as white, of slim build, noticeably tall at 6ft 5ins with a distinctively strong jaw line and protruding Adam's apple. He has greying brown combed-over hair and wears metal-rimmed glasses.

At the time of the last sighting, he was wearing a blue coat, small rucksack, walking boots and a flat cap.

Mr Dagleish's cousin, Steve Dunne, from Darlington, said: "We in Christopher's family are really concerned now for his well-being. He is a very experienced walker who has visited the Lake District at least twice a year. He usually has his journeys meticulously planned and to go missing like this is completely out of character."

Mr Dagleish arrived in the area on November 20 by train and was caught on CCTV camera footage at Windermere railway station at around 5.15pm.

He was then known to have spent time in Coniston on November 21, visiting Brantwood before walking back to his hotel in Ambleside during the late afternoon.

Onward train tickets had been purchased by Mr Dagleish to travel to Darlington on November 23 to visit his cousin over the weekend before returning to his home in Harrow on November 27.

Mr Dunne said: "We think he just isn't the sort of person to disappear and do a runner without telling anybody. We now fear he has met with an accident or suffered a sudden medical problem.

"The problem is, unless we know where he was headed on November 22, the police can't call out search teams."

He added Mr Dagleish was "a very private man" who enjoyed his own company.

PC Dave Hall, of Ambleside police, revealed Mr Dagleish's bank accounts were being monitored and no money had been withdrawn since his disappearance.

He said: "Our concern for Mr Dagleish is deepening. I would urgently appeal for anyone who has seen a man fitting his description to contact us straight away on 0845-3300-247."