DETECTIVES have launched a cross-county manhunt, after a former Ipswich pub landlord went missing and more than £7,000 disappeared from the takings.John O'Sullivan, a former landlord of the Brewery Tap in Ipswich is the latest local landlord to go missing and hunted by police, the Evening Star can reveal today.

DETECTIVES have launched a cross-county manhunt, after a former Ipswich pub landlord went missing and more than £7,000 disappeared from the takings.

John O'Sullivan, a former landlord of the Brewery Tap in Ipswich is the latest local landlord to go missing and hunted by police, the Evening Star can reveal today.

Takings from The Tavern in Holland-on-Sea, Essex, amounting to more than £7,000, were lost on March 3. Devastated bosses discovered the loss on the day O'Sullivan went missing, allegedly leaving a note promising to pay back the balance.

The incident comes just months after money was stolen from the Inkerman pub in Norwich Road in December. Landlord Andrew Ross is still being sought by Suffolk Police today. The sum, believed to be up to £30,000 included Christmas club money saved by regulars.

His girlfriend Samantha Prior was originally arrested by police but is no longer suspected in the inquiry.

In another separate incident, police investigations are still going on to find the burglar who stole £21,000 from Steve Roberts' home in Chantry before Christmas. The cash was from an unofficial Christmas savings club for members at the town's Manor Ballroom Club and the Port of Felixstowe.

Bosses and police have now launched a cross-county manhunt for O'Sullivan. The Irishman ran the Brewery Tap for two years until August last year.

The Evening Star has supplied the club's owner Waveney Pub Company with pictures of O'Sullivan from our files, and Clacton Police are leading the search for him.

Disappointed director of the Waveney Pub Company Kathy Holmes , said O'Sullivan disappeared after the company had paid to accommodate him in a hotel for a fortnight, while he stood in for the club manager at Holland-on-Sea.

She said: "He left the hotel at 7am on March 3, and has not been seen since.

"The week's takings of £6,000, till float and some stock are missing. He left a note to say he would lodge the money at a post office for us, but he hasn't done that yet."

She said she had known O'Sullivan for four years, including during his two years' at the Brewery Tap.

Mrs Holmes added: "He came as a favour to us, to help out at the club. If anyone has seen him, we want to know."

A spokesman for Essex Police today confirmed a complaint had been received, and an investigation is underway.

He said: "We have received a complaint regarding theft from a business premises in the Clacton area. The matter is being investigated, and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact Pc Alan Barlow at Clacton Police on 01245 491491."