SCORES of people from Swindon scoured the streets, parks, housing estates, pathways and green spaces of Bristol on Saturday in a concerted bid to find missing musician Paul Griffiths.

They were joined by friends and family of Paul’s from as far as Inverness, Leicester, Sheffield, Hereford and the Isle of Man during a ten-hour marathon trawl in and around the city.

They discovered no trace of Paul, 60, a well-known figure on Swindon’s music scene, but distributed nearly 2,000 flyers which now adorn shops, pubs, community centres and public notice boards.

Despite finding no sign of Paul, who has three daughters, they are hopeful the leaflets bearing his photograph and description will trigger a response that will lead to his safe return.

Long-time friend Martin Jones, of Goddard Avenue, Swindon said: “People came from all over the country, as well as Swindon, to search for Paul or just a sign of Paul.

“We searched the parks, downs and paths of Bristol. People walked miles and spent hours going through some of lesser known parts of Bristol. All we want is for Paul to be found and brought safely home.”

A talented guitarist, singer and songwriter Paul, of Clifton Street, sought medical treatment at The Priory Hospital in Stapleton, Bristol on Friday, September 25 after suffering acute anxiety problems.

He went missing on Tuesday, sparking a police search of the immediate area. But they found no trace, which prompted friends and family to arrive in large numbers in Bristol at 8am on Saturday, followed by a second group at 1.30pm.

The operation saw around 100 searchers split into teams who each combed allotted areas of the city to seek news and distribute leaflets.

They were overwhelmed at the response from Bristol people, many of whom took flyers to pin-up in their places of work or their local pubs or clubs.

Paul's brother-in-law, Cornelius O'Sullivan, who helped co-ordinate the operation, said: "We have no idea, absolutely none, where Paul might be. He had never been to the Priory before, and I don't think he knows Bristol very well.

"We are all worried for him and just want him to come home safe.

"We are still hopeful of finding him, but it has been a few days. It is worrying. You never know. There has been a lot of family support and many friends who are offering their time."

Paul's nephews, Dan O'Sullivan came from Sheffield to join his cousin Jacob O'Sullivan, who arrived from Inverness.

"We've put the leaflets in quite a few places and met quite a lot of people. We hope to get the word out there as wide as possible," said Dan Jacob added: "We are still hopeful. As long as we don't hear anything, we will keep coming back to search for him."

Jackie O'Sullivan, Paul's sister-in-law, praised the people of Bristol for helping out.

She said: "They have been immense. The people we've approached are brilliant, and they have taken leaflets and promised to spread the word and keep an eye out.”

Paul has been in a number of Swindon bands since the late seventies, notably Stadium Dogs who supported The Kinks on tour, made an album and released several singles.

His other groups include 96 Tears and King Strut and he became well known in Italy for some years fronting a group called Cube.

Paul is described as a white, with light grey/brown hair and approximately 5ft 7ins tall.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: "If you have any information as to Paul's whereabouts, please contact us immediately on 101 and quote missing person number 5215007574."