POLICE have staged a 'stop and speak' operation in Kilbarchan in a bid to find out more information about missing pensioner Allan Burns.

The 71-year-old, who suffers from dementia, has been missing from the village for a week.

Officers have been handing out posters this afternoon and speaking to passers-by near the entrance to the village's cycle path off Barrhill Crescent, in the hope people may have seen the dad-of-three.

The last confirmed sighting of Mr Burns was recorded at around 3.15pm last Friday when he was heading out on a walk towards Lochwinnoch.

Chief Inspector Hazel Scott, area commander for Johnstone, said: "Our main message today is that we are a week with Allan missing now. We want to know if people were around the area last week. Did they see Allan? How was he? 

"The family are very concerned for him because he has not been in contact.

"He was heading in the direction of Lochwinnoch, which means he would've been passing Howwood as well, so we are looking for anyone who can help us in that direction.

"Anyone who has dashcam footage please check it to see if you can see Allan.

"We have had horses out and our dogs as well as specialist search teams, and we are absolutely committed to finding Allan."

Residents have been urged not to conduct their own searches for Mr Burns while the police are continuing their investigation. 

Inspector Jim Cast, based in Johnstone, added: "We have a very systematic and meticulous way of working.

"We have learned from previous missing person enquiries that we cannot make any assumptions. We must never discount any possibilities.

"We may believe he has headed in the direction of Lochwinnoch, but we cannot rule other possibilities out.

"We need to consider every single hobby he had, where he worked, what means of travel he had.

"The length of time with no new sightings is a concern. For the trail to go cold at this stage is concerning, but we are remaining positive."

A couple of possible sightings of Mr Burns have been reported to police in the Lochwinnoch area.

Mr Burns has been described as around 5ft 8in, clean-shaven of slim build, with short grey hair.

He was last seen wearing a grey tammy hat, a khaki green waterproof jacket with a tartan lining, dark blue jeans, grey walking boots and a maroon and grey striped scarf.

Anyone with information is urged to call 101.