POLICE have renewed their appeal for a missing North-East farmer to get in touch.

Frank Johnson, 55, has not contacted his family since he left his home at West Shipley Farm, near Hamsterley, County Durham, for a business meeting on Friday.

His maroon-coloured Subaru Legacy car was found outside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs offices in Crosby Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, where he attended the meeting on Friday afternoon.

Inspector Trevor Robinson, of Bishop Auckland police, said inquiries into Mr Johnson's whereabouts were continuing.

He said that registers at bed and breakfast accommodation in North Yorkshire had been checked, but so far had drawn a blank, said Insp Robinson.

Mr Johnson, who comes from a well-known farming family, has taken his passport, but left no indication of where he might have gone. It is understood he has recently parted from his wife, Jean, a senior magistrate on the South Durham bench and a qualified vet.

The couple have an 18-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter, who are both still at school.

Insp Robinson said: "We would ask anyone who might have seen him to give us a call. If Mr Johnson reads this, we would urge him to get in touch. We just want to know that he is safe.''

Anyone with information is asked to call Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 603566.