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, left his home in Middleton-in-Teesdale, in County Durham, on November 26.

But after being spotted buying a newspaper at his local shop, he has not been seen since.

Earlier this week police admitted that the chances of finding the 77-year-old alive were fading fast, 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 search and rescue teams scour land near to where Mr English's red Vauxhall Astra was found on November 27, on a secluded road near to Brownberry Plantation, in Teesdale.

A police spotter plane was called and officers have made regular checks at hospitals and interviewed neighbours in the hope of finding information on his whereabouts.

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

But concern is continuing to grow after it was revealed that Mr English could not walk more than 400 yards without losing breath, and his family now fear he could 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 his car at around 2.30pm on November 26, or spotted Mr English at anytime during the afternoon, is asked to call Barnard Castle Police on (01833) 637328.