THE wife of a doctor who vanished mysteriously has left her North-East home for a new life in Australia.

Jane Noble, 32, told relatives she was quitting her job at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital and leaving the country with son, Iain, three, who was born after his father's disappearance.

Dr Noble, 32, made an impassioned plea for her husband, Dr Matthew Choyce, to return home after he disappeared in October 1997.

Dr Choyce left their High Heaton home, in Newcastle, and sparked a national police hunt when his car and a T-shirt were found close to a Tynemouth beach.

But the body of the Sunderland Royal Hospital casualty doctor was never found, and police believe he may have faked his death and started a new life.

Mrs Noble believes her husband is still alive and will one day return to see the son he has never met.

A family friend said: "Jane has hardly talked about it, but we know she has found a job in a hospital in Australia.

"Jane has been appealing for her husband's return for over three years and that would take its toll on anyone.

"Matthew's family told her they supported her and understood her reasons for going. They haven't given up on him, and believe he is still alive."