THE mother of a missing student has broken her silence for the first time.

Sandra Flintoft's son Craig Hetherington disappeared after leaving Middlesbrough's Cornerhouse pub after a night out with friends.

The Guisborough family have not heard from Teesside University student Craig, 22, since he vanished on Saturday, February 22.

"It's the not knowing that's the worst," said Sandra.

"We feel as if life has stopped for us. In my heart of hearts I have to hope that he's alive and he will come home - we all have to. Whatever else may have happened to him doesn't bear thinking."

* Read the full story in tomorrow's Northern Echo.