Searches continue for missing Aberdeen teenager Liam Smith two months to the day since he was last seen.
The 16-year-old Westhill Academy pupil disappeared on Saturday, November 17 and a massive search operation has been under way ever since.
Last night a police spokeswoman said that officers continued to scour the Deeside area, where he was seen getting off a bus, for evidence of his whereabouts.
The teen left his home on Aberdeen’s Queens Road at around noon.
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He was spotted on CCTV around half-an-hour later at McDonald’s on Union Street and he has been tracked thereafter to the Sainsbury’s store on the corner of Guild Street and Carmelite Street.
Liam bought Lucozade, Jaffa Cakes and a Dairy Milk there before crossing the road to enter Union Square at around 1pm.
About 11 minutes later, he boarded the 202 Stagecoach bus bound for Banchory.
CCTV was unfortunately not functioning on the bus but another passenger reported seeing him exiting the service at Crathes.
Police have focused their searches in that area, using helicopters, sniffer dogs, specialist divers and significant officer resources.
The heavily-wooded landscape has proved difficult terrain for search teams.
Liam is described as being 6ft 4in, of a slim build and short brown hair. He is known to walk with a distinctive gait.
When last seen he was carrying a camouflage North Face rucksack and wearing Nike Air Max trainers.
A police spokeswoman said: “Searches remain ongoing in the Crathes area where resourcing allows. Any new information will continue to be reviewed and assessed.”
Meanwhile, Craigdon Mountain Sports launched a fresh appeal to help find the missing teen this week.
They urged their customers enjoying the outdoors in the Crathes, Torphins or Banchory to keep a lookout for Liam.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.
