POLICE investigating the disappearance of a North-East man in Greece could decide today whether to send officers out to Athens.

The search for Melvyn Gamblin, from Darlington, may be stepped up following an internal review of the case.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said the review would consider the possibility of sending officers to Athens if there are leads to follow.

Detective Sergeant Dave Wilkes, who is leading the inquiry, said the distance and language barrier between the two countries were causing some difficulties.

Mr Gamblin flew to Athens on August 9 to watch the Olympic Games and was last seen by staff at his hotel on September 3.

Police are working with the Greek authorities, with the aid of Interpol and the Foreign Office, to find Mr Gamblin, who suffers from ME.

The investigation took a twist before the weekend with the arrival of a photograph of Mr Gamblin at his home address.

Police said yesterday that they have managed to find out where Mr Gamblin was when the picture was taken.

Officers showed the photo to a former university friend of Mr Gamblin, who met him while in Athens, and he was able to say where it was taken.

"He recognised from the scenery and the railings that the photo was taken from a caf on Lycabettus Hill - a famous hill with spectacular views of Athens and the surrounding area," said a police spokesperson.