AN international search for a North-East man who disappeared after travelling to Greece for the Olympic Games took a bizarre twist yesterday.

A photograph of Melvyn Gamblin enjoying the sunshine in Athens was posted from the Greek capital to his home in Darlington. But the picture was not accompanied by a letter or an explanation.

Police investigating the case said the origin of the picture was a mystery.

They hope it may have been taken by a friend, or tourist, who met Mr Gamblin while on holiday and agreed to post it on to him.

But with no sign of the missing man, detectives are preparing to send a team to Athens to help with Greek police inquiries.

Mr Gamblin was last seen by staff at his Athens hotel on Friday, September 3. He failed to board an easyJet flight back to the UK later that day.

Mr Gamblin's family are worried about the 37-year-old, who suffers from the debilitating condition ME, fearing he might have had a relapse or be in trouble.

His brother, Bryan, who lives in Edinburgh, is preparing to fly to Athens to look for him.

He said: "We are just about coping, but the problem is just not knowing anything - it is a big void to fill.

"Going out there is the next thing on the list for me. At some point I will be flying out, it is just a question of when."

The photograph came as a surprise to the family, but, like the police, they believe it was sent by an innocent party.

It was found by friends of Mr Gamblin's, who had a key to his house, and was passed to the police yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Dave Wilkes said the picture and envelope carried no clues as to what day it was posted.

Investigations have ruled out an old university friend of Mr Gamblin's, who officers knew he met during the trip.

"Presumably, whoever did take it must have told Mr Gamblin they would send it on to England and I'm hoping they will recognise the picture and get in touch with us," Det Sgt Wilkes said.

He said the picture and envelope were likely to be sent for forensic tests and fingerprinting.

"We want to establish who the last person was who spoke to or saw Mr Gamblin - we don't know who holds the vital key in this," he said.

Police are working with the Greek authorities, with the aid of Interpol and the Foreign Office.

But Det Sgt Wilkes said the distance and language barrier were causing problems.

"The Greeks' urgency is not as high as ours and we are having to work at their pace," he said.

"But that is being reviewed and we are looking at sending some officers over."

Mr Gamblin, originally from Bristol, has lived in Darlington for three years. He cannot work because of his medical condition, but previously worked for the Environment Agency and ICI.

He is an avid sports fan and has attended the past four Olympic Games. He arrived in Athens on August 9 and kept regular contact with family and friends in England.

The last message he sent home was a text to a friend after Great Britain took gold in the men's 4x100m relay, on August 28.

Anyone with information about the photograph is asked to call (01325) 742075.