Motorway search for missing man

Mrs Linn (centre) has appealed for information

Police are searching along a section of a motorway as they step up their efforts to trace a 38-year-old man who has been missing for seven weeks.

The eastbound carriageway of the M9 was closed between Beancross and Lathallan for five hours as officers examined the hard shoulder and grass verge as part of the search for Gary Linn.

The father-of-three, from Kilsyth in Stirlingshire, was last seen on 31 August. His Mercedes van was found 50 miles from his home the following day in Gorebridge, Midlothian.

Central Police said the search was connected to a £10,000 reward, offered this week, for information on Mr Linn's whereabouts or the arrest of anyone connected with the incident.

Gary Linn was last seen on 31 August

A proportion of the reward will be handed over to anyone giving information that enables police to establish Mr Linn's whereabouts.

The remainder will be given for information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of an individual or group involved in his disappearance.

Detective Chief Inspector Hector Cairns, who is leading the inquiry, said: "Following the offer of the £10,000 reward we are following a number of lines of inquiry."

"I believe that there are still people who have information which could be vital to this inquiry who, for whatever reason, are reluctant to come forward.

Reward offered

"I would remind these people of Gary's wife Kathleen's words that until she knows what has happened to her husband the family cannot begin to grieve properly."

Detectives say they increasingly fear that Mr Linn may have been killed but have not established a motive for his disappearance.

The reward was put up by Mr Linn's family and employers Snap-on-Tools in the hope it would encourage some people to come forward with information.

His wife Kathleen, 39, said: "While I am still clinging to the belief that there is a slim chance that Gary may still be alive, deep down I fear the worst."

More than 60 officers and three police forces are now involved in the inquiry.