FRESH sightings of a North-East man who vanished more than seven weeks ago in Greece have brought hope to his family.

Police are following up five reported sightings of Darlington man Melvyn Gamblin on the islands of Aegina and Poros earlier this month.

The news has brought hope to the 37-year-old's family, whose prayers that he would turn up to watch his favourite football team play in Athens last week were not realised.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, his brother, Bryan, told of the anguish his family is going through and his fears that Melvyn is suffering from ME.

"We hope that police will be able to use these sightings to see if there is a trail leading us to Melvyn," he said.

"I believe he is still alive. It is a very emotional time and I wouldn't wish what I am going through on anybody."

Melvyn went to Athens for the Olympic games in August. He was last seen on September 3, the day he was due to fly home. No money has been taken from his bank account since then.

Bryan travelled to Greece earlier this month with Detective Sergeant Dave Wilkes and Detective Chief Inspector Ted Edgar, of Darlington police. He took photos of his brother and missing person posters for Greek authorities to distribute.

He also tracked Melvyn's last known steps across Athens and spoke to local people in the hope of finding information about his brother's disappearance.

He had pinned hopes of Melvyn turning up to watch his favourite team - Middlesbrough - play against Greek side Egaleo in the Uefa Cup match, last Thursday.

"I was in the police control room at the game and used the CCTV to look through the crowd and see if he was there," said Bryan.

"There were also about 12 Greek detectives looking for him in the crowd, but if he was there I would have seen him. It's not just what he looks like, I know the traits of his personality."

Bryan fears his brother has had a relapse of ME, a debilitating condition he has suffered from in the past.

Det Sgt Wilkes said they had worked with the Greek authorities on the possible sightings.

He said: "We followed up a total of five possible sightings of Melvyn Gamblin, or of a man fitting his description. These were all from a period in early October.

"From the information we were given it seems very possible the man people saw could well have been Melvyn.

"This is definitely a positive step for the investigation which gives hope to the police and to his family that Melvyn is still alive and well."