THE family of missing war veteran Robert English has refused to give up hope of finding him alive, almost three weeks after he disappeared from his home.

The former prisoner of war, who spent three years in a German camp after being shot down over France during the Second World War, left his home in Middleton-in-Teesdale on November 26.

After buying a newspaper at his local shop, he has not been seen since.

Earlier this week, police said that the chances of finding the 77-year-old alive were fading, but his family are continuing to help search and rescue teams in the hope of finding him alive.

His sons, Paul and Graham, have been helping teams to search land near to where Mr English's red Vauxhall Astra was found on November 27, on a secluded road near Brownberry Plantation, in Teesdale.

Police have made regular checks at hospitals and interviewed neighbours in the hope of finding information about his whereabouts.

Search and rescue teams have spent more than 500 man hours combing land around his favourite beauty spots near Teesdale's reservoirs, which Mr English often visited to read his newspaper and walk.

But concern is continuing to grow after it was revealed that Mr English could not walk more than 400 yards without becoming short of breath.

His family fear he might have been abducted.

His son, Paul, said: "Myself and my brother helped him shop a lot, and he always went in his car, so this is a complete mystery to us. It has been a complete nightmare for the family, not knowing where he is. This has never happened before. It is such a shock.

"The first thought I had was that he had been taken by someone who had robbed him or picked him up.

"We are just living in hope that someone has information or has seen anything that can help us find him."

Anyone who saw Mr English's car at about 2.30pm on November 26, or who saw him at any time during the afternoon, is asked to call police, on (01833) 637328.