The search for missing Durham School teacher Mark Bushnell

A major search operation is continuing to find the deputy head of a public school in Durham who disappeared on Sunday morning.

Mark Bushnell, a 50-year-old married father of three, parked his car at a seaside picnic spot, having left the family home in Durham, and has not been seen since.

Mr Bushnell is deputy head of 600-year-old Durham School.

Head teacher Martin George today appealed for more information about his whereabouts.

He said: "Please Mark, this is where you belong. Get in touch. Tell us you are safe."

Mr Bushnell, who is married to Joanna and has three sons Nathan, Jonny and Jacob, has taught at the prestigious school for 24 years.

On Saturday he accompanied a rugby team to London where they took part in a competition.

The next day he said he was taking laundry to a laundrette as the washing machine at home was broken

His grey Citroen C3 was found hours later in the car park at Blackhall Rocks after he was reported missing.

Specialist search officers have resumed their work in the Blackhall Rocks area, also covering a stretch of beach and cliffs. Stretches of railway line have also been included in the search efforts and assistance has been given by HM Coastguard, the National Police Air Support helicopter and volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue.

Police have declined the many offers of help from the public.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen Mark Bushnell at any point since Sunday morning is urged to ring police on 101.