A MAJOR search is under way for a motorist missing on moors.

Sheffield man Paul Haywood, 48, crashed his car on Bradfield Moors, near the village of Bolsterstone, between Holmfirth and Sheffield, early last Sunday.

A passing motorist saw him slumped inside his car, which had hit a dry-stone wall.

She told police, but when officers arrived they found Mr Haywood's blue Toyota Celica bloodstained and empty.

Mr Haywood, who is 6ft tall and weighs 20 stones, had been with friends earlier in the evening.

Huddersfield-based Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team has been involved in the hunt for Mr Haywood, a single man with no children.

Police found a note at his home in the Stannington area of Sheffield which stated: "Please forgive me - it's for me - sorry."

Sgt Tony Earnshaw, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "We don't think he had any money problems, or debts of any kind. Neither his brother nor his friends can shed any light on what happened that night.

"A man of his size could not have gone far on this treacherous terrain - particularly at night. We hope sniffer dogs will be able to find him if he is there.

"It's been a long time and we have heard nothing. We have exhausted all our lines of inquiry," added Sgt Earnshaw.

"We have to admit we are fearing the worst - but intend to keep looking."