PORTUGUESE authorities on the island of Madeira have stopped searching for missing British fell runner Darren Kay, according to a Portuguese newspaper.

Darren Kay, originally from Bolton but a resident of Sedbergh, was on holiday in the town of Calheta with his partner, and was last seen when went he went for a run on his own.

The newspaper Portugal Resident reported on December 21 that authorities had ceased all searches for the 52-year-old.

Mr Kay's family is believed to be continuing the search, and have raised over £10,000 through a Gofundme campaign to find the missing runner.

Portugal Resident also reported that Mr Kay is the fourth foreign tourist to go missing without trace on the island while running alone within the last two years - three of those being linked by being in the Calheta area.