A MOTHER has made a heartfelt appeal for her son to make contact after they lost touch more than six years ago.

Audrey Coleman, 69, of Truro, Cornwall, went to her son Tony's wedding in Westbury in 1997, and lost touch with him shortly afterwards.

She believes a family feud was the catalyst for Tony's disappearance, but thinks he is still living in west Wiltshire.

Her other son, Stephen, is getting married next Easter and the family wants Tony to be there.

She said: "Tony married a girl called Alison at the Methodist Church in Westbury and it was a wonderful wedding, but then this silly family feud got in the way I think he fell out with his brother a bit.

"I can see why some people do not want to get back in touch after all this time, but Tony's brother would just love it if we could find him."

Three years ago Mrs Coleman's brother placed an advert in a London paper to trace some army colleagues, which led to some old friends getting in touch.

Mrs Coleman said: "It's great to be in touch with them and if it worked with those friends, it may work with Tony."

Tony Coleman, 43, moved to Westbury circa 1995, when he got a job at Center Parcs.

Mrs Coleman thinks he then got a job with a removal firm in the area and travelled all over Europe with his job.

She said: "There is nothing for him to feel nervous about, we just need to know he is alright."

Mrs Coleman is not alone in looking for a loved one: May has been designated Missing Persons Month by the charities which help families like hers.

One website alone, www.missing-you.net carries 1,764 messages for missing persons in the south west.

According to Home Office statistics, 210,000 people are reported missing in the UK each year and although most return home within 72 hours, thousands do not.

The National Missing Persons Helpline deals with calls every day from concerned relatives, and says family conflict is often to blame when people disappear.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Very little information exists on missing adults, but family conflict, debts, illness or abuse can drive people to leave or lose touch.

"We have to remember people over 18 are at liberty to go away and break off contact. People have a right to stay out of touch and can forward an 'alive and well' message to put relatives' minds at rest without revealing their whereabouts."

Anyone who thinks they can help Mrs Coleman can contact the Wiltshire Times newsdesk on (01225) 352483.

The National Missing Persons Helpline: 0500 700 700.