POLICE officers joined a wide-scale search for a man who went missing from Colchester General Hospital. 

Gerald Shelcot, aged in his seventies, went missing from the Turner Road hospital shortly after 8.30am this morning. 

Essex Police launched a helicopter and officers scarred the north Colchester area to find Mr Shelcot.

He was found safe and well shortly after 2.30pm this afternoon when a motorist spotted him at Tesco, Hythe.   

He has returned to the hospital for his ongoing treatment.