TWO North-East detectives will arrive in Greece today to step up the international search for a sports fan who disappeared during the Olympic Games.

Melvyn Gamblin, of Darlington, was last seen almost six weeks ago by staff at a hotel in Athens, where he had been watching the Olympics.

His family are becoming increasingly concerned for the 37-year-old, who suffers from the debilitating condition ME.

Mr Gamblin's disappearance has sparked a massive hunt, involving police in Darlington working closely with the Greek authorities, Interpol and the Foreign Office.

But two senior North-East detectives are flying out in a bid to step up the inquiry.

Detective Chief Inspector Ted Edgar and Detective Sergeant Dave Wilkes are planning to meet Greek officers to gather together all the evidence so far, and pursue new lines of inquiry. They will include fresh investigations into a photo of Mr Gamblin that was sent to his Darlington home three weeks after he vanished, but with no letter or note of explanation.

Det Chief Insp Edgar said yesterday: "We have identified the place in Greece where that picture was developed and that will certainly be one of our lines of inquiry."

He added: "There have been investigations conducted across the length and breadth of the UK, and we have even spoken to people in Norway who met Melvyn during the Olympics.

"But it is really now time for us to come together with all the information we have got. There are people we want to speak to Athens who may have met Melvyn."

Mr Gamblin arrived in Athens on August 9 and kept in regular contact with family and friends. He was last seen on September 3, but failed to board an easyJet flight home later that day.

Avid sports fan Mr Gamblin has been to the past four Olympics and is also a season ticket holder at Middlesbrough FC, who will be playing in Athens against Aigaleo, in the UEFA Cup, on Thursday, October 21.

Det Chief Insp Edgar said: "That match will be an ideal opportunity for us to speak to people who may know him."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.