DIVERS may have to wait for winter's end before they can search for a missing Westhoughton policeman.

It is nearly a month since Greater Manchester Police detective Albert Paxford disappeared during a dive on a wreck off the Scottish coast.

Mr Paxford failed to surface on October 6 following the dive with other members of Horwich Sub Aqua Club, which he had joined two years previously.

But continued bad weather this month -- some of the worst on record -- has thwarted attempts to search the wreck, which lies 150 feet down and five miles off the Stranraer coastline.

Coastguard bosses admitted further gale-force conditions could mean police divers may have to wait months before they take to the water.

Dave Bottomley, coastguard watch assistant based at their Liverpool HQ, said: "If we're in for a bad winter that could be it. There's nothing you can do.

"But just because it's winter it does not mean there will be permanently bad weather. There are days when the water can be flat calm."

Father-of-two Mr Paxford, 40, joined the police force 10 years ago, after having lost his coal mining job.

His wife and two children have been too upset to comment about his disappearance, as they continue to wait for further news at the family home in Quakerfields, Westhoughton.

Two teams of Central Scotland police divers have remained on stand-by, ready to start searching for the missing man when the weather allows.

Supt John McGoldrick of Dumfries and Galloway police said: "It's been a very frustrating time. There are two teams waiting to dive but we must wait for the appropriate sea conditions.

"We're in daily contact with the coastguard to see if any calm conditions will develop. Divers have actually been to the site to appraise conditions but have not been able to go down."