Graeme Ferry disappearance: Ground searched near church
Police investigating the disappearance of a 24-year-old man have confirmed they are searching for human remains near an isolated church.
Graeme Ferry, from Bellshill, was last seen in the town on 2 April and was reported missing two days later after failing to turn up for work.
Ground is now being searched near Kirk O'Shotts Parish Church, close to the North Lanarkshire village of Salsburgh.
Police said it is possible Mr Ferry may have been murdered and his body moved.
Det Sup John McGovern, of Strathclyde Police, said: "We can now confirm that, as a result of an extensive seven-week police investigation, specialist search teams are now searching for human remains near to Kirk O'Shotts Parish Church.
"The search is at an early stage and we have spoken to Graeme's family about what is happening. They are being supported by family liaison officers."
Det Sup McGovern said it had been established that Mr Ferry was last seen in the Bellshill area in the early hours of 2 April.
He had been at a party in the town's John Bowman Gardens and later phoned a close friend at about 0530 BST to arrange to meet him nearby.
Mr Ferry failed to arrive for the meeting and has not been seen or heard of since.
Det Sup McGovern added: "It is possible that Graeme may have been murdered in the Bellshill area and his body moved and left elsewhere."
The detective appealed for anyone with information about Mr Ferry's movements on 2 April, especially in the John Bowman Gardens area, to contact police.
An incident room has been set up at Motherwell police station.