THE family of a patient who went missing from a North Yorkshire hospital have appealed for the public’s help in finding the ‘loving husband, dad and grandad.’

Graham Roskell, of Kirk Hammerton, near York, has not been seen since he disappeared at the weekend from Harrogate District Hospital.

Now his family have issued a statement saying he had been receiving medical treatment for an infection which had spread to his brain, causing confusion, disorientation and anxiety.

"This is treatable, but only if he receives this medication immediately,” they said. “Without it, his condition will deteriorate rapidly - particularly given the cold and wet weather.

"He is a loving husband, dad and grandad, who is the centre of our universe. We need him back now. We are urging people to check their outbuildings, garages, sheds, cars, anywhere he may have taken shelter.

“We also need help to hand out flyers and posters or just ask around and spread the word. Due to his condition he may have gone further afield than the Harrogate, or even Yorkshire area, and got himself lost.

“We want this to be a happy news story, where the communities pull together to find our Dad. The police are doing everything they can but we need the public's help too."

Mr Roskell's family have also set up a Facebook page to help raise awareness of his disappearance and encourage people to help the search for him.

Mr Roskell is described as white, 65-years-old, 5ft 11in tall, with a medium build. He has greyish white straight hair, and although he was wearing glasses when he was last seen he doesn't need them all the time.

When he was reported missing, he was wearing black leather lace up shoes, olive green trousers and a cream and green horizontally striped rugby style top. He was also wearing a black wrist watch, and was carrying a navy blue fleece knee-length dressing gown that was rolled up.

*Anyone with information that can help officers locate Graham Roskell is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101.