A MANHUNT was launched this morning by police and troops scouring the extensive Challock Forest outside Ashford. They were joined by friends and work colleagues searching for 46-year-old Phillip Jordan, from Kingsnorth, who had been missing for two days.

He was last seen on Wednesday when he left a pig farm in Wye where he worked saying he was going to a meeting. He never returned and his Renault Megane car was discovered next day in King's Wood near the famous sculpture trail.

Mr Jordan, a married man, was believed to be depressed. Friends put up posters in the area appealing for anyone who may have seen him. He is 5ft 6in and of stocky build with a full beard and his reddish brown hair has a pudding basin cut.

Thirty soldiers from 36 Royal Engineers, based at Invicta Park, Maidstone, joined police searching the woodland. Leading the investigation Inspector Andrew Judd said: "We are concerned for Mr Jordan's welfare. His vehicle was located in an isolated area and he is in a depressed state. He also has an injury to his leg, which is bandaged."