The man who went missing the day of his mother's funeral - and the desperate search that has followed

The family of a man who disappeared on the day of his mum’s funeral are desperate to find him, detectives say.

Paul Ryan was last seen at around 9pm on Manchester Road in Denton on December 1 last year.

That was the day of his mother’s funeral — which he never attended.

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In the evening, Paul, of Mansfield Crescent in Denton, was pictured in an Asda store on Cavendish Street, Ashton.

Now, police are releasing footage of the 50-year-old in an attempt to find him.

At a press conference today, DI Matt Berry — the officer leading the search for Paul — also revealed police had focused their enquiries on the Audenshaw Reservoirs.

“After he didn't turn up to his mother's funeral, an investigation was launched which we refer to as Operation Midway,” DI Berry told journalists from GMP’s headquarters.

“Operation Midway has established that Paul was last seen around 9pm on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, on Manchester Road in Denton near the junction which leads to the library.

“Officers have completed extensive inquiries including but not limited to, a multi agency search of Audenshaw Reservoirs and the surrounding areas, which have utilised the searches of specially trained dogs.

“As a result, we've recovered a bag which we believe belongs to Paul. We are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare and want to ensure that he's safe and well.”

At the time he vanished, Paul was wearing a dark coloured coat over a short sleeve chequered shirt, with black cargo style trousers and blue trainers.

He is described at 5’11” tall, with short to medium-length blonde hair. He also has links to Dukinfield and Ashton.

DI Berry also said