POLICE believe a council official who disappeared in mysterious circumstances may have changed his appearance.

Last night, they issued a new image of Terry Robson in the hope of tracing him.

Mr Robson, who is clerk to Spennymoor Town Council, has not been seen since Saturday, June 14, when he left his home at Kirk Merrington, County Durham, saying he was going to his allotment.

The following day, his silver Renault Clio was found parked in Alnmouth, Northumberland, but all inquiries in the area by Northumbria and Durham police and his family have drawn a blank.

In a bid to refresh the search, police have produced hundreds of posters bearing two images of the 55-year-old - one bearded and one clean-shaven.

These are being distributed around caravan parks, tourist information centres, guesthouses and pubs in Northumberland.

Mr Robson is a devout Christian and a member of a Franciscan order. He regularly visits Alnmouth Friary and the Holy Island area for retreats and relaxation.

A letter from his wife, Valerie, with whom he has a son, Jeremy, and daughter, Andrea, is being hand-delivered to religious retreats in case he is seeking solace there.

An excerpt from the letter reads: "Words cannot describe how much Jeremy, Andrea and I are missing you and any pain we are feeling will disappear and will be forgotten the minute you walk back through the door.

"Please, please get in touch, let us know you are safe and come back home for a big hug."

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who is heading the investigation, said: "It is important he knows how concerned everyone is for his welfare.

"If anyone knows where Terry might be, I would urge them to reconsider their position and contact me."

A man claiming to be Mr Robson rang the Missing Persons Bureau on Saturday, June 28, and provided some correct personal details but said he needed some space and did not want to be contacted.

Police said that it was difficult to establish beyond doubt if the caller was Mr Robson as calls to the bureau are not recorded.