THE DAUGHTER of a retired teacher missing from his home has made a desperate appeal to help trace him as police stepped up their hunt.

Posters and leaflets have been distributed by locals in and around Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, in a bid to spread awareness over the disappearance of retired Stow College lecturer Stephen Watt.

Mr Watt, 66, who has been a been a foster-grandfather to many children over the past few years, was last spotted on Lenzie Moss, the local nature reserve, at around 2pm on Sunday.

Police have been searching residents' gardens and have scoured the Lenzie Moss in their attempt to find the sixty-six-year-old volunteer with the Samartians.

His daughter Elise Watt, from Edinburgh, said the former modern studies teacher at Bannerman High School in Baillieston, Glasgow, had been worrying about his ill mother who lives in the the Highland village of Ballachulish and may have been heading there to visit her.

But the 24-year-old medical receptionist said that theory has now been ruled out.

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Stephen Watt who left his home in Craigenbay Crescent at 11am on Sunday to go to the local shops and has never returned or been in contact with the family.

Ms Watt, the youngest of his four children, said: "We just wish for a speedy resolution to our constant worrying.

"Local residents are now putting up posters and giving out leaflets to try and jog anyone's memory. Everyone is doing all they can. They are in all local shops and being handed out in the street.

"I am glad to know the posters are being seen.

"He has been worrying recently about his ill mother in Ballachulish. So we thought he may have decided to travel up there. But there is no evidence to suggest that now.

"We need more sightings of my dad to trace his steps. Lenzie is a small place and lots of people would have been out walking.

"Anything that can be done to raise awareness would be very much appreciated."

She said he was likely to nod and say hello to people he passed in the street.

"As well as being a father to the four of us he also has one grandchild and has been a foster-grandfather to many children over the last few years as my eldest sister is a foster carer," she said.

In a joint appeal, the four children which also include Adam, Hazel, Heather said: "We love our Dad to bits and we just want him home. He's been feeling a bit low recently which is why the family are so concerned."

Mr Watt is a volunteer with 1st Lenzie Boys' Brigade and the group issued their own plea for his safe return on their Facebook page saying: "Stephen is still missing from Lenzie. Please keep on sharing, telling people and praying for Stephen's family."

He is white, around 5 ft 10 inches in height, with a medium build, short grey hair, blue eyes and was clean shaven. He was wearing a dark brown fleece jacket and tan coloured trousers.

Police said Mr Watt had never gone missing before and that he had recently been dealing with some personal issues,

Officers made early morning door-to-door inquiries after he was reported missing and a police helicopter has been circling the area in an effort to find him.

An underwater police team also hunted around a nearby burn.

Inspector Iain Greene said:"Extensive enquiries are underway but so far all efforts to locate him have proved unsuccessful. Stephen is fit and able but he is not adequately dressed for this cold weather and we are increasingly concerned for his welfare.

"If anyone has seen Stephen or has any knowledge as to his whereabouts please do contact police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kirkintilloch police office on 101.