A FAMILY last night spoke of their relief that "missing" man with a mission, Rod Jones, appears to be safe and well.

Anxious Richard and Angela Groves caused the British Foreign Office to carry out checks abroad for the 52-year-old humanitarian on his latest mercy mission to Romania, who is accompanied by their son, Stephen, 28.

The couple, from Howden-le-Wear, were concerned at not hearing word from the pair for two weeks, particularly as Convoy Aid founder, Rod, from Middlesbrough, had been warned that he faced arrest for child stealing if he returned to Romania.

First aid company area manager Mr Groves said: "We instituted a missing persons inquiry and went through the Foreign Office. The consulate told the Foreign Office the two crossed the border on August 29, and as far as the reports coming back, there have been no accidents, no arrests."

Off-licence manageress Mrs Groves said she contacted North-West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong, who advised her to speak to the Foreign Office. The MP's office is in almost daily contact with the Groves, asking if they have received any news.

The Foreign Office has now asked the couple for details of the vehicle Rod and Stephen are travelling in. All Mr and Mrs Groves know is that it is a blue, Mercedes van. She said: "The Foreign Office has been brilliant, and Hilary Armstrong's office is not going to drop it until they are 100 per cent sure all's well. It makes you proud to be British, but I will not settle until Stephen is back.''

Talented Stephen has gone over to Romania to cheer up children's hospitals and orphanages by painting children's favourite cartoon characters on the buildings' drab walls.

Rod, accompanied by his wife, Gabby, has gone to Romania to fight for a little girl - Anna-Maria - who Romanian authorities have removed from foster care and put into an orphanage