A CLOSE friend of a missing horse trainer has said he is "very concerned" at his continuing disappearance.
Father Tim Sullivan, of St Mary's Church in Derby, said Owen Brennan had struggled with retirement since he moved to Derby four years ago.
The 77-year-old has been missing from his home in Wheeldon Avenue since 4.45pm on Monday.
Father Sullivan, who has known Mr Brennan since the 1960s, said that during their last conversation his friend seemed troubled.
He said: "Owen's wife, Pat, rang me shortly after Owen went missing as she thought he might have come to the church.
"I was speaking with him at church on Sunday. He was upset. He had a stroke a few months ago and although he felt better his memory wasn't good. Scans showed there was damage but he felt okay.
"He told me he wasn't going to be able to drive again and that would affect his work so he might have to consider leaving it.
"I didn't have much chance to talk to him and thought I would be able to speak with him nearer Christmas but I didn't get the opportunity."
Police and teams from Derby Mountain Rescue have searched areas of the city where they think he might have been have but have failed to find him.
Officers are also searching Welbeck and Worksop where he has friends. The couple moved from Newark four years ago to live at the property in Wheeldon Avenue, which his wife owned.
Fr Sullivan said: "His wife is exhausted but coping. His son has come home from Dubai. It's a very terrible time with Christmas just around the corner.
"You feel very powerless, there's nothing you can do. He's a lovely character – he has great humour and wit."
Anyone with information can contact police on 101.
