By Alan Richardson

THE SON of a Perth pensioner missing for almost a week said his father had been in particularly high spirits just hours before mysteriously disappearing.

James Dakers (83) has been missing from his Bridgend home since last Thursday and police searches, including using a navy helicopter at the weekend, have so far found no trace of him.

His son James was in regular touch with Mr Dakers, who lives in the Gladstone Court sheltered housing complex, East Bridge Street, and is part of a close-knit family.

He said, “I saw him on the Monday prior to his disappearance and spoke to him on Tuesday and Wednesday. My aunt saw him on the Thursday and he got his TV fixed, which he was delighted about.

“He went down to lunch at Gladstone Court and the last positive sighting of him was when he spoke to someone at about 4 or 5pm.

“He wouldn’t leave to see anyone without letting anybody know—Gladstone Court is quite a sociable circle who go on trips and things.”

Mr Dakers jun, a civil engineer, said his father had had health problems but was not cowed by them.

“He had fairly major surgery at Christmas and he seemed a bit confused in hospital but we got him home in January and he was recovering well.

“He was starting to walk a bit more—he loved his walking and was still going all the way to Quarrymill and doing that circuit last summer, which is a reasonable hike for anyone.”

A retired blacksmith/welder, Mr Dakers has lived all his life in Perth, moving from his Cromlix Road home to Gladstone Court relatively recently. Before retiring, he worked in the Hydro Electric control room.

His son said, “He was very sociable and reasonably well known in Perth because he lived most of his life here and knew a lot of people.

“He would always meet people in town and be able to chat to them in passing—he would always find someone he knew to talk to.”

Locals are concerned about their popular neighbour, who always had time to stop and chat.

A police spokesman said the force is growing “increasingly concerned” about his welfare and urged anyone who has sighted him to call 0845 6005705.

Mr Dakers is said to be 5ft 7in, of slight build, with grey/white receding hair, last seen wearing a dark blue fleece with green lining, brown trainer-style shoes and a black or dark blue yachtsman-style peaked hat.

He uses a brown walking stick with at least two badges attached to it.

Police are keen to trace anyone on the North Inch about 2pm on Friday, when there was a possible sighting of him on the Inch and sitting near the war monuments near Charlotte Street.

An angler in high waders was fishing on the Tay nearby and a lady with two small dogs may have passed by.

Anyone with information should call the police on 0845 6005705.