Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing 60-year-old man from Norwich.

A well-known face in acting circles, Peter Sweet was last seen in the area of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at approximately 9pm on Friday.

Norfolk police's helicopter took to the skies that night to hunt for Mr Sweet, but he has yet to be found and police yesterday appealed for the public's help in tracking him down.

Grandfather Mr Sweet has a long history of treading the boards in theatres around Norwich, including at the Maddermarket Theatre, Sewell Barn and Norwich Playhouse.

His ex-wife Becky said Mr Sweet had trained at Dartington College of Arts, is a member of Equity and performed regularly for the local professional company Loose Cannon.

She said: 'His missing person status has, I believe, been changed to 'high risk' by the police.

'They have been putting a considerable amount of manpower into the search and I couldn't be more impressed.

'He was in a very bad traffic accident in 2005 and was in intensive care for two weeks, so he now gets very panicky and claustrophobic when he is in hospital, so we think he has tricked his way out.

'Nobody in the family has heard from him and we are very worried because it was very cold that first night and he would have only been in his pyjamas, with £5 in his pocket.

'My appeal to him is to come home or just to get in touch to let us know that he is OK.

'A lot of people in the city know him and are very fond of him, so we hope that will help us find him.'

Mr Sweet's daughter Sara runs Sonkai bespoke jewellery in Dove Street in Norwich.

He is described as white, about 5ft 7in, slim, with short grey hair.

Police said, at the time he was last seen, Mr Sweet was wearing a light coloured coat and chequered bottoms.

Officers said he walks with a stick and is unsteady on his feet.

They believe Mr Sweet may have returned to his home address in West Pottergate before going out again and would like to hear from anyone who may have seen him.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Norfolk police on 101.