THE family of a man missing from home since Monday have made an emotional plea for his safe return.

Concern is growing for the welfare of 55-year-old George Richardson, known to everyone as Ian.

Mr Richardson lives with his wife, Jennifer, and children Gillian and Martin, in Bertha Street, Ferryhill.

Mr Richardson wished his daughter a happy 25th birthday at 7.30am on Monday, then left the house saying he had a job interview and skills test at Spennymoor JobCentre. He never arrived and failed to return home.

There was one definite sighting of Mr Richardson, at 2pm, near the Eldon pub, and another unconfirmed sighting of him waiting at a bus stop in the town during the afternoon.

He went missing from home last October, but that was only for one day, and both his family and police are baffled as to where he might have gone.

Mr Richardson spends the majority of his time at his deceased father's allotment, at the rear of Cochrane Terrace, and his own two allotments at the back of Magdalene Terrace.

He is 5ft 6in, of average build, with dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a peacock on his lower right arm and one of a bird in flight on his lower left arm.

His daughter, Gillian, said: "We haven't got a clue where he has gone and we just want him to come home because we love him."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01388) 814411.