POLICE investigating the disappearance of a Mold factory worker have called off their search of the River Dee.
Michael Murphy, 32, was last seen a week ago today when he left the Convatec factory on Deeside Industrial Estate at about 6am.
His red Volkswagen Polo car was recovered by police from the Flintshire Bridge at 2pm the same day after it was reported by a member of the public.
North Wales Police have confirmed they have withdrawn searches of the river and the river bank, but said they will respond to tip-offs.
A spokesman said: “Mr Murphy is still outstanding and there have been no further sightings of him.
“No searches are currently being undertaken, be we will act on any intelligence we receive.”
His family, led by his distraught mother Ann Murphy, have thanked the public for their “kind messages of support.”
A statement said: “We ask that people remain vigilant by reporting anything to the police.”
Police will stage a reconstruction this morning using Mr Murphy’s car, and will stopping motorists along the Flintshire Bridge with his photograph in a bid for fresh information.
More than 2,000 people have joined a group on the social networking site Facebook set up to trace his whereabouts.
Carol Brimfield wrote: “Worked with Murphy a few years ago and he is such a kind, funny lad. Hope he is safe and found.”
Sharon Hewitt wrote: “Come on lovely, let someone know you are OK. Your beautiful family and fantastic friends are missing you.”
Yesterday his aunt Peggy Murphy, a senior nursing lecturer at Wrexham’s Glyndwr University who lives in Coedpoeth, Wrexham, urged people to display the missing poster which his family and friends have produced as part of their bid to trace him.
Posters have been put up as far afield as Blackpool in the hunt for Mr Murphy.
He is 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with short, fair hair, which is balding.
At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a dark grey flat cap, a long, dark grey duffle coat, blue jeans and white Adidas trainers with three black stripes on the side.
Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101.