A DISTRAUGHT husband has made an emotional plea to his wife to return home.

John Swift, 44, said: "All I want is my wife back. I have been with her since we were 14, since school.

"Our love for each other was so strong then, but now it's even stronger.''

Mother-of-five Jacqueline vanished on Easter Monday.

Mr Swift said; "There is no explanation as to what has happened. It has been totally out of the blue.

"She is devoted to her kids and her grandchildren. They mean everything to her and they just want her back."

Mr and Mrs Swift run a wet fish shop in Hartlepool and Mr Swift has been inundated with calls from fishermen along the North-East coast registering shock and sympathy at his 44-year-old wife's disappearance.

"They are devastated; everybody is, '' said Mr Swift who lives in Hartlepool's Furness Street.

He said his wife had been looking ill recently and appeared to have lost weight.

He believes she may have suffered a nervous breakdown.

Mr Swift said: "She has not been very well and has not been her usual self.

"I know she has worked a solid year with no respite and it has taken its toll on both of us.''

Cleveland Police have launched an appeal to find Mrs Swift and anyone with information is asked to contact Hartlepool police on (01642) 302126.