Landfill search for missing man

Mr McAnish was last seen alive more than seven weeks ago

Police searching for a missing musician have said there is "strong reason" to believe he is dead and that his body has been dumped at a landfill site.

Father-of-two John McAnish, 45, was last seen alive in the Causewayhead area of Stirling on 2 April.

Central Scotland Police said a detailed examination of the Avondale landfill at Polmont, near Falkirk, would begin on Monday.

The search will last between two and six weeks and involve 15 officers.

A spokeswoman for the force said they had received information regarding the whereabouts of Mr McAnish but could not go into detail about "specifics" for operational reasons.

No-one has been arrested in connection with Mr McAnish's disappearance.

Det Insp Gordon Crossan, who is leading the search for the missing man, said: "We have a strong reason to believe he may be dead and his body disposed of in this site.

"A co-ordinated search of the landfill site will take place over several weeks from Monday, 26 May.

"His family are being kept up to date with the investigation and at this stage wish to make no public statement."

Mr McAnish, who is a guitar player, received a kidney transplant five years ago and requires medication to stay alive.