HOPES were fading last night for a North-East tourist who disappeared more than a week ago after going hiking in Spain.

Michael Leslie Egglestone went missing on Sunday, May 31, after leaving his hotel to go walking in mountains near Alicante.

His wife, Janice, reported him missing two days later after he failed to reach his destination.

But despite a search involving mountain teams and a helicopter, police have so far failed to find any trace of the 54-year-old.

Mrs Egglestone was due to return to the UK to be with relatives today.

She lives with her husband, a former soldier, in Nettlesworth, near Chester-le- Street, County Durham.

Last night, neighbours said they were a nice couple who were known in the area. Flowers and cards were visible on the window sill of the family’s front room.

The Foreign Office said staff from the British Consulate in Spain were providing assistance to the family.

The search for Mr Egglestone has included a team of Guardia Civil dog handlers and has focused on the mountain areas of La Solana and La Laguna.

A Guardia Civil spokesman said the longer the search continued, the less likely it was that Mr Egglestone would be found alive.

David Easton, a family friend who runs the hotel where the couple were staying, in the village of Benichembla, said expatriates in the area had been helping the police.

He said: “We have spent a few days searching and we are planning to go out again on Wednesday to conduct a search in a different range of hills.

“The terrain is not particularly challenging, but obviously people can fall and become injured. The police have been very good and have had trail bikes, helicopters and dogs out looking for Michael.

“Janice plans to return to the UK on Wednesday, so that she can be with her family. We are hoping that there may be something positive to say soon.”

Mr Egglestone works as an employer services manager at the Learning and Skills Council in Gateshead.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said: “Michael’s mother-in-law told us he was missing last Tuesday.

“We knew he was on holiday and he was due to return to work on June 5. Our thoughts are with his family.”

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm a British national was reported missing on Tuesday, June 2, in the mountain areas of La Solana and La Laguna in the province of Alicante.

“The Guardia Civil and the local authorities are conducting a search for the missing person and the British Consulate in Alicante is providing assistance to the relatives.”

Benichembla is a village of about 750 people, which is popular with expatriate Britons. It is about 30 miles north of Benidorm and 60 miles north-east of Alicante.