THE family of a German man who went missing from a North-East ferry have offered a reward information leading to his safe return.

Frank Conrad, 35, was last seen at 1.30am on Tuesday, March 9, on the DFDS ferry that left Amsterdam at 6.30pm the previous day.

There was no sign of Mr Conrad when the ferry docked at North Shields at 9am, on March 9.

He remains missing, despite extensive searches by Northumbria Police and coastguards.

Mr Conrad, a welder, was a passenger on the ferry with two colleagues.

They were heading for Londonderry to take up contract work.

A single man, he lived with his long-term partner in Alberstedt, near Leipzig, and is described by family and friends as a sociable, likeable, quiet man.

Speaking on behalf of the family, who are offering a 10,000 Euro reward, his grandfather Heinz Thielicke said last night: "Frank is greatly missed by his family and friends. We all want him home."

Detective Inspector Rob Coulson said: "Mr Conrad is being treated as a missing person until we receive any information which suggests otherwise.

"We are keeping an open mind about what happened to him but we know he was on the ferry when it left Amsterdam and that he didn't get off when it arrived at North Shields."

Anyone with information about Mr Conrad is asked to contact 0191-214 6555, ext 63145.