A MASSIVE search involving the FBI has been launched after a mother and her toddler son went missing - following the arrival in the US of her estranged husband from the North-East.

Amanda Jones and 18-month-old son Justice Gallon have not been seen since Teesside man Andrew Jones returned to America almost a week ago.

Police say Mr Jones, 30, had left their home in the town of Rainier, Oregon, seven months ago to avoid criminal charges relating to domestic abuse.

But he landed at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last Friday - the same day his 29-year-old wife and her son from a previous relationship vanished.

They were last seen at a babysitter's house in Washington state, 15 miles across the border from their home.

Officer Ira Swanson, of the Rainier Police Department, believes the disappearance of Mrs Jones and her son is linked with the arrival of Mr Jones.

He said the FBI were heavily involved in the hunt but an "Amber Alert" had not been issued because an abduction had not been confirmed.

Officer Swanson thinks the family might be driving the woman's green 1996 Nissan Altima and has circulated details to forces across the States.

The couple wed last May in Longview, Washington State, and police say they have a history of domestic violence.

No restraining orders were filed, but Mrs Jones' family believes her husband fled to England in October to dodge criminal charges.

Mr Jones' mother, who lives in Stockton, has told police she has not spoken to him for five months and thought he had moved to London.

Officer Swanson, part of a six-strong police department in Rainier, has also spoken to Cleveland Police counterparts.

He said: "We know Mr Jones entered the country but we are checking to see if he has left. At the moment we have no evidence to suggest he has.

"A number of possible sightings are being investigated - including some by airport staff - but most are not reliable. Some descriptions are not even close."

Mr Jones worked part-time as a landscaper for a business owner in Rainier and Officer Swanson said he liked to "play soccer, shoot pool and go to bars".

His wife works at the Columbia County Courthouse and has not called in sick.

Her family - described as "highly concerned" about her welfare - have not heard from her either.

Mrs Jones was reported missing by her brother's wife, who said she talked to her sister-in-law every day.