POLICE last night appealed for help in tracing a member of a Gothic horror metal band who has disappeared.

Fears are growing for Simon Jones, who is known to be depressed and has not been seen since he walked out of his house at the weekend after a domestic argument.

The 35-year-old was last seen at his home in Hillcrest Place, in Hesleden, near Peterlee, County Durham, at about 5am on Sunday.

He had just returned after performing with his band, Moriarti and the Sith, at venues in Cumbria over the weekend, and walked out dressed in black and wearing a cowboy hat.

Mr Jones, who also works for the Prescription Pricing Authority, in Newcastle, was reported missing by his wife, Carolyn, on Monday afternoon.

A search concentrated on the dene at nearby Monk Hesleden.

But despite the use of the police helicopter, police dogs and volunteers from the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue team, searchers found nothing.

Mr Jones is 5ft 8in, with long dark-brown hair, a beard and sideburns.

Moriarti and the Sith are one of Britain's leading Gothic heavy metal groups. The group was formed in 2002 and recently released an album, Skinwalker, described as a descent into "madness and horror".

Some of the group's songs are named after notorious video nasties such as Blood Feast and Anthropophagus Beast.

Sergeant Ian Dickinson, of Peterlee police, said: "We are very concerned for Mr Jones' wellbeing. We believe he is depressed and would like to hear from anyone who thinks they may have seen him.

"It is possible he is sleeping rough and we would urge people in more rural parts of Easington to check barns and outhouses for any sign of him.

"He may also go into local shops to buy supplies and we would hope shopkeepers will be on the lookout for him."

People are asked to call police on 0845 60 60 365.