Missing doctor 'boarded London train'

Police released a new photo of Dr Stevens in their efforts to trace him

Police believe a missing children's hospital consultant from Greater Manchester may have caught a train to London the day after he went missing.

Detectives said Dr Richard Stevens may have been seen boarding the 1227 BST train on Tuesday from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston.

The 54-year-old consultant haematologist went missing after arriving at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, in Salford, on Monday.

He had left his home in Brooklands Road, Sale, at 0650 BST and arrived at the Pendlebury hospital 20 minutes later.

Police said the latest sighting was unconfirmed but they were examining CCTV footage from the train stations.

The CCTV cameras filmed Dr Stevens arriving at the hospital

Superintendent Frank Doyle, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Officers are now investigating this unconfirmed sighting but I would like to stress that inquiries are also still taking place in and around the Manchester area.

"We have already had a number of other unconfirmed sightings that have come to nothing so we are still keeping an open mind as to Richard's whereabouts.

"If he is somewhere in the country and he is worried about coming home, we just want to know that he is safe and well so I would urge him to contact us even if it is just to tell us that he's OK.

"Our enquires into his disappearance will continue until we know where he is or what has happened to him."

Dr Stevens was captured on CCTV footage at 0710 BST at the hospital.

He left his jacket and briefcase in his office and has not been seen since.

Police are also monitoring his mobile phone calls and bank accounts.