FRIENDS of a missing Royal Navy sailor have launched an international appeal in the region to trace him.

Tracey and Malcolm Clixby have been putting up posters and tying yellow ribbons around trees in the Catterick Garrison and Darlington areas to highlight the “Bring Timmy Home” appeal.

They have just moved back to Darlington after living in Gosport, Hampshire, for five years where they became good friends with Leading Seaman Timmy MacColl and his wife, Rachel.

The 27-year-old, originally from Perthshire, Scotland, disappeared ten days ago in Dubai, after getting into a taxi alone at 2am outside a cafe to go back to his ship, HMS Westminster.

He never arrived.

Mrs MacColl, who is expecting their third child in October, and friends launched a worldwide appeal for help, calling on ex-pats and the military community to help.

She last spoke to her husband on Saturday, May 26, when he said he would ring the family home the next day, but vanished hours later.

Mrs Clixby, 30, said: “This is such a big military area we are just hoping someone can provide the missing piece of the jigsaw that will bring Timmy home.

“This is really out of character, he was such a lovely man. For Rachel it’s a nightmare – she is crazy with worry and anything we can do to help will be worth it.

“The campaign is on Facebook with more than 80,000 followers and is gathering pace.

“We have friends who are spreading the appeal to Redcar and Middlesbrough.

Someone in this area could have the answer, we have to make sure no stone is unturned, and as many people as possible know about Timmy’s disappearance.”

The couple returned to Darlington when Mr Clixby took redundancy from the Royal Navy. They are now hoping St Cuthbert’s Church, where they were married, will host a candlelit vigil for their friend.

Anyone with information is asked to email rnlogulf@ emirates.net.ae