A NEW sighting of a missing North-East man has raised hopes among his friends in Canada and Poland who are desperate for him to get in touch.

John Pedelty, went missing three weeks ago from Darlington Memorial Hospital and the last sighting of him was on November 25.

But at the weekend, police received reports that Mr Pedelty had been seen in a betting office in Newton Aycliffe.

He is considered to be vulnerable and they are very concerned for his well-being as he may need medication.

New information about Mr Pedelty from his friends in Poland and Canada, given to police by The Northern Echo, has also given them new lines of inquiry.

Mr Pedelty made friends in Poland during a university trip to Cracow in the 1960s. Maria Kozakiewicz, who now lives in Canada, was his tour guide during the trip. She and her sisters, who still live in Poland, have stayed in touch with Mr Pedelty since then.

When they read of his disappearance on The Northern Echo's website, they contacted the newspaper to make a plea for him to get in touch to allow them repay a long held "debt of gratitude".

Mrs Kozakiewicz's sister wants to care for Mr Pedelty in Poland, in return for the support and help the former town planner showed them 40 years ago when Poland was shut off from the West.

In a bid to help inquiries, the sisters have given the Echo information about Mr Pedelty from his letters, the latest of which they received in September, which has been passed onto the police.

Mrs Kozakiewicz said: "We would just ask the people of the North-East that if they see John to contact police. And John, if you can read this, please come home. We care for you terribly and we will never stop searching for you."

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

* Police confirmed last night that a body had been found in the sea off Redcar, east Cleveland.

They were investigating the possibility that it might be Mr Pedelty.