Ref. 28512-09WHEN Barbara Carley's youngest son, Darren, walked out of their Park North home nearly two years ago, she thought he would be back within hours.

But she has not seen her son since and now she is desperately pleading for him to make contact.

"Two years is a very long time to feel like this," said Mrs Carley, 66, who has six other children, 20 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

"I still feel the same as I did when he first went missing, the pain never lessens. We all miss him so much. He was so lovable."

Unemployed Darren, who was 24 at the time he disappeared, took no money, spare clothes or personal items with him when he left home in Lyndhurst Crescent, Park North, shortly after midnight.

Mrs Carley said: "There's got to be more to it than him simply running away. I sometimes think he fled from people around here. He was bullied all his life."

Hours before his disappearance, he had split from girlfriend Lisa and was said to be very upset.

Darren has been on the missing persons list since late January 2002 and despite alleged sightings being reported to the police none of these reports has been confirmed.

Mrs Carley said: "I am still hopeful that I will see him again in my lifetime.

"I have to remain hopeful. I won't ever give up. If I die before he is found I want all the family to remember him."

Darren's father, 85-year-old George, has had five strokes and suffers from dementia. He regularly asks Mrs Carley what time Darren will be home from work.

Mrs Carley added: "My children have always been able to talk to me, they've never been afraid and I never denied Darren anything. Maybe I loved him too much."

One of Darren's sisters, 35-year-old Helen, said: "Mum's put her life on hold since Darren left.

"Her health has suffered she hardly sleeps and has lost lots of weight."

Mrs Carley said: "I keep myself busy during the day but it's at night that it's worst. You think all sorts of horrible things. I miss him so much.

"I am hoping that maybe people from this area who went away at Christmas might have seen him. He could be anywhere.

"If it is just the case that he doesn't want to come home then that's fine just so long as he lets us know he's all right.

"No one is going to force him to come home but I don't think he realises how much his family love him.

"I have got to find out where he is. I won't rest peacefully until I know. "

l Anyone with any information about Darren's whereabouts is asked to contact police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If Darren does not wish to return home or contact the police, he can call the Missing Persons Message Home Service on 0800 700 740 where he can leave a message in confidence.

Emma-Kate Lidbury