THE husband of a missing mother-of-five last night made an emotional plea for her to come home.

John Swift has scoured the streets of Hartlepool and maintained a vigil beside the telephone since his wife, Jacqueline, disappeared on Monday.

She popped out to buy some cigarettes from a shop just yards from their home in Furness Street - but has not been seen since.

Fighting back tears, Mr Swift, 44, said: "Myself, the children and grandchildren are distraught.

"We just want her to come home, or to make contact with us so we know she is safe.

"It is so unlike her to do something like this, and I am going insane here not knowing what is going on. All manner of things are running through my head.

"What has been especially hard is watching all the children break down. It is destroying me."

The couple, who have been together 30 years and have five children, aged between 13 and 26, run a wet fish shop in Raby Road, Hartlepool.

Baffled Mr Swift cannot understand why his 44-year-old wife would go missing and can only assume she is suffering from work-related stress.

He said: "We have been working very hard and it has been getting on top of us.

"Jacqueline is very strong-willed, though, and doesn't like to feel like she has failed.

"She has not been eating or sleeping properly and I wonder if she has suffered some kind of breakdown.

"However, I want to let her know that, if she wants, we will give up the business and move away - whatever she wants.

"All I want is to see her walk through the door so I can give her a big hug, as I just can't take any more."

Mrs Swift has no change of clothing with her and was last seen wearing a navy coat, white T-shirt, blue jeans and blue training shoes.

She is described as slim, with blue eyes, mousey bobbed hair, of light complexion and was wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to Detective Inspector Tony Read on on (01642) 302126.