FEARS are growing for the safety of an elderly Greenock man who went missing early this morning.

Pensioner James Bradley drove off from his home in Union Street around 3.30am and hasn’t been seen since.

Police were alerted and officers found his silver Vauxhall Astra at the Beacon Arts Centre shortly before 1pm, but there was no sign of the 87-year-old.

Teams of officers have been looking for Mr Bradley, with the force helicopter also involved in the operation throughout the day.

Officers said tonight that the pensioner was still missing.

His son Gary, 52, is making a heartfelt appeal for him to come back home.

He said: “He got up around 3.30am and when my mum woke up at 7.30, he had gone. He’s taken the car key off the keyring but not the house keys and the car was gone.

“He’s been told by doctors not to drive because he is taking strong painkillers.

“He was in Inverclyde Royal Hospital and and the Royal Alexandra in Paisley and he’s been told he had to go back for further examinations.

“He got home four weeks ago and he’s very down, he’s not coping.” James lives with his wife Jean, also 87, who is very distressed by his disappearance.

Gary said: “Up until recently he was very active, he is a member of Inverkip Bowling Club and a former member of Gourock Park and was riding his racing bike up and down the Esplanade.” The family are very worried because James left the house without a mobile phone or his wallet.

He was wearing black trousers, a grey pullover and a casual bomber-style jacket.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Gary on 07950201350.