THE family of a missing man who suffers from epilepsy are desperately appealing for him to contact them.

David Nixon, 45, went missing from his Gateshead home, on February 28, and has not been seen since.

Police are asking residents, of nearby Whickham, to look in their garden sheds for signs that he might have been sleeping rough there.

Detective Inspector Steve Barron, of Gateshead West CID, said: "We are particularly concerned about his safety, because we don't know if he has his medication with him."

Mr Nixon, of West Lea, Winlaton, Gateshead, is 5ft 10in tall with a medium build, mousy brown, short hair and might be wearing a blue jacket.

An appeal has been made for him to contact his family or police to let them know he is safe.

People are being asked to check sheds and outbuildings for signs of someone sleeping rough. Anyone with information should contact police on 0191-454 7555