2 arrested over missing grandfather

TWO men have been arrested over the disappearance of a grandfather during a charity cycle ride more than three years ago.

Tony Parsons was last seen outside the Bridge of Orchy Hotel, Argyll, on the West Highland Way, on September 29, 2017.

No trace of him or his bike has ever been found, despite extensive searches by land and air.

Police confirmed that two men, both aged 29, were arrested on Wednesday in connection with Mr Parsons’s disappearance but were released pending further inquiries. The case is still being treated as a missing person probe.

Former Navy officer Mr Parsons, then 63, left his house in Tillicoultry, Stirlingshire, and boarded a train to Fort William, Invernessshire. He intended to cycle the 104 miles home to raise funds for charity, but was last seen at Bridge of Orchy around 11.30pm.

His son, Mike Parsons, made an emotional plea for information last year, on the third anniversary of the disappearance, saying: ‘None of us dreamt my dad would have gone on his charity bike ride and we would never see him again.

‘My family and I have been left with so many unanswered questions we have to live with every single day about where he is.’

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: ‘On December 30, two men, both 29, were arrested and then released pending further inquiries in connection with the disappearance of Anthony Parsons, reported missing in September 2017. Inquiries are ongoing.’