The younger brother of an elderly man missing from Epsom for more than a week has launched a heartfelt appeal for people to help with the search.

James Middleton, known as Jim, was last seen at midday on Sunday, July 2, when he went out on his mobility scooter heading towards the Stew Ponds and Christ Church Road area.

But the 70-year-old has not yet returned home or been found, despite police helicopters being scrambled and officers and hundreds of volunteers scouring the area.

Firefighters from Banstead and Epsom fire stations also joined the search last Tuesday night (July 4), using thermal imaging lights from off-road vehicles to look for him in the dark.

From July: Epsom residents join police officers and firefighters in search for missing elderly man Jim Middleton

And after a Facebook group, Find James Middleton, was set up last week, more than 100 residents launched a search on Wednesday and Thursday evenings (July 5 and 6) from the Wells Estate, where he was last seen, but it was to no avail.

Jim is described as white, five feet six inches tall, of large build, and with brown greying hair. He was last seen wearing a body warmer, dark grey shorts, blue trainers, and white socks, and was riding his four-wheeled, light blue mobility scooter.

His younger brother David Middleton said: “I really do begin to think that Jim is not on the Common, that somehow he has gone further afield.

“Where he has gone is anybody’s guess.

“It just seems incredible that he has not been spotted by anybody. There have been no particular sightings.”

David asked residents to look out for his brother’s bright blue mobility scooter, as he believed this might provide a “big clue” as to Jim’s whereabouts.

“At the end of the day, he’s an old man,” David added.

“He’s probably not very well now, bearing in mind that he went without medication, without any money, no food, no water.

“If you’ve got a house that backs onto the common, or backs on to waste-ground, or if you know of any area with scrap-land, please, if you can, go and have a look. That would be fantastic.

“We’re really worried about him now and we just really want him back.

“He’s my big brother and I love him.”

Sergeant Eddie Alderley of Epsom and Ewell Neighbourhood Team advised residents to keep an eye out for Jim or his scooter - a light blue, four-wheeled Breeze model TGA scooter, with the serial number of 1042039.

From July: Helicopters scrambled in police search for missing elderly man James Middleton last seen heading out to Stew Ponds in Epsom​

He said: “If you are on common land anywhere keep a lookout for him or the scooter.

“Look a bit further afield from where you’re walking. Look into the trees. Look into the bushes.

“James could’ve fallen. He could be lying there needing our help.

“Look out for James and look out for his scooter.

“If you see a scooter that is unattended and you think it may connect, then call us.”

To offer information, call police on 101 – or 999 in an emergency – and quote the reference number P17165048.