Police continue their search as fears grow for Aryan, 20

TEAMS BATTLE GALES AND RAIN IN HUNT FOR STUDENT MISSING FOR OVER A WEEK

- By DYLAN HAYWARD

SPECIALIST underwater search teams have been deployed to a stretch of the River Soar as a major operation continues for a missing student who vanished more than a week ago.

Police helicopters, divers with flashlights, officers in canoes, and specialist search teams have descended on the normally sleepy village of Stanford on Soar.

Aryan Sharma, a 20-year-old Loughborough University robotics student, was last seen on CCTV in Meadow Lane at 12.30am on Saturday, November 22 walking towards the Stanford on Soar area.

He has not been in contact with his family since Friday, November 21, prompting concern for his welfare as temperatures have plummeted and weather conditions have deteriorated.

The scale of the search operation has shocked residents in the quiet village, which is known for its scenic walks along the river.