POLICE looking for a North-East tourist who disappeared in the mountains of Spain have scaled down their search.

Michael Egglestone, a 52-year-old father-of-four, went missing after going hiking in hills near Alicante, on the Costa Blanca, more than two weeks ago.

In the days immediately following Mr Egglestone's disappearance, a helicopter, police dogs, a mountain rescue team and expat British walkers were called in to scour the area for clues.

But sources in Spain say the search has since been scaled down.

Mr Egglestone's wife Janice returned to their home in Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, last Wednesday.

Later, she said she was still hopeful her husband would be found.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said British Consulate staff were keeping the family updated on the progress of the search operation but there were no new developments.

Mr Egglestone was part of a group of 12 British holidaymakers who rented a villa in Benichembla, about 30 miles north of Benidorm.

He went missing after going walking on Monday, June 1.