Missing pensioner Bryn Mellor has been found alive and safe three days after he vanished from a care home in Sturry.

A huge police search had been mounted on Tuesday when the vulnerable 71-year-old, who suffers with dementia, disappeared.

But police say Mr Mellor, who also has a heart condition, was found in the garden of a derelict house in Sturry by a neighbour’s dog at just after 4.15pm on Friday.

Inspector Steve Parks from Kent Police said: "Mr Mellor was conscious but was suffering from mild exposure and is currently being taken to hospital to be checked over.

"He has also been reunited with his family, who are with him at the moment."

There had been serious concerns for Mr Mellor, who comes from Sittingbourne, because he had been missing for three days and up to 60 police officer and volunteers had been searching for him

In a statement the family, who also live in Sittingbourne, said: "We are overjoyed to have Bryn back with us and would like to pass on our sincere thanks to everyone who has been involved in the search.

That includes Kent Police, the Kent Search and Rescue volunteers, the community in Sturry, the soldiers from Howe Barracks and the media. They have all been brilliant."