BAD weather is delaying the search for a missing diver.

Albert Paxford, a detective with Greater Manchester Police, disappeared on Friday during a dive to a wreck five miles off the Scottish coast.

He has not been seen since a diving companion raised the alarm just after 1.30pm when he failed to surface.

Gale force winds and torrential rain have meant a search could not take place.

Mr Paxford's wife and two children are facing further torment after learning police and coastguard chiefs have estimated it will be Sunday before a search can start.

The family from Quakerfields, Westhoughton, has been comforted by members of Horwich Sub Aqua club, which Mr Paxford joined two years ago.

He was on a club organised dive to a wreck 150 feet down and off Burrow Head, Galloway.

Mr Paxford, who has a 16-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son, joined GMP in 1990.