A YORK man has flown to Crete to help in the search for his missing uncle.

Mick Calam, from Foxwood, went to the Greek island with his cousins two weeks ago to be part of the search for his 73 year old uncle Arthur Jones from Denbigh in North Wales.

Army veteran Arthur, who is Mick's late mother's brother, has not been seen since he left his hotel on the island on June 18.

He was in Crete on a walking holiday, and eve though he is an experience walker and fit and healthy, his family are now worried that the extreme heat may have meant Arthur has come to some harm.

Mick spent a week in Crete helping in the search and handing out flyer alongside his cousins, Arthur's children, pleading for help from holiday makers and locals alike.

Mick said: "We want to know if he spoke to anyone and maybe mentioned what his plans were. Arthur is very sociable and will talk to anyone."

The family know that Arthur is interested in Crete's military history, and signed the visitors book at Souda Bay Cemetery. They want other visitors who may have seen Arthur to come forward.

"I know it's a long shot, but please check your holiday photos for Arthur as well," Mick added.

The family have praised the support they have had from the Greek police, and from North Wales Police officers who have travelled to the area to help in the search.

Welsh mountain rescue expert Phil Benbow was also in Crete organising searches of hilly terrain.

Mick added: "The land is covered in olive groves and it's difficult to search. Arthur is an experienced walker, but the heat there is more than 30 degrees.

"We don't know what's happened and people live in hope, but the longer it is the more worrying it is."

The worry about his uncle has brought back distressing memories for Mick, as his own brother Lee went missing in York three years ago and was found drowned in the River Ouse three weeks later.

Mick said: "It's the same worry - someone is missing and we don't know what's happened to them."