DETECTIVES today renewed their appeal for information about a missing 74-year-old Chandler's Ford man after house-to-house inquiries about his disappearance failed to produce any new leads.

Widower John Reed, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, has now been missing from the Carthage Close home he shares with his son for 12 days.

Police yesterday carried out house-to-house inquiries in the Chandler's Ford area in a bid to trace anyone who might have seen Mr Reed leave his home on Saturday, April 19.

They were also talking to local residents in a bid to establish Mr Reed's normal routine, including where he walks and what hobbies he has.

But a spokesman for Eastleigh CID said today: "Although we have done extensive house inquiries and there are still a few more call backs to do, there are not any leads coming out of that which are going to help us."

He also appealed for people living in the area to check their gardens and sheds for any trace of Mr Reed who disappeared after saying he was "just popping out".

But police say there is no reason to believe the discovery of human remains by the side of the M27 near the Hamble Bridge has anything to do with the missing Chandler's Ford man.

Last weekend the missing man's son Tim appealed for anyone who might know the whereabouts of his father to contact the police.

He also issued a heartfelt plea for Mr Reed senior to get in touch and let him know he was safe and well.

When Mr Reed went missing earlier this year he went to Andover in search of a former work colleague, but could not recall how he got there except that he had walked.

His worried son said the missing man had not taken his daily medication with him when he left home on April 19.

When last seen, Mr Reed was wearing a white shirt, a tie, dark blue trousers, grey blazer, dark blue anorak and black leather shoes. He is 5ft 8in with thinning grey hair, weighs 13 stone and has a ruddy complexion.

Anyone who sees Mr Reed is asked to contact the police on 0845 045 4545.