Renewed search for missing best man

Ian Gilbert organised the trip to Ostend in Belgium

The bride of a best man who disappeared at the end of his friend's stag night in Belgium has travelled to Ostend to help find him.

Charlotte Gilbert, 34, revisited the bars her husband of 11 months drank at exactly two weeks ago, in an attempt to jog people's memories.

There are fears that Ian Gilbert drowned after he vanished as the 27-strong group headed back to a hotel in the seaside town.

Supported by friends, Mrs Gilbert, from Crowborough, East Sussex, said: "I know it's going to be extremely upsetting but I would like to see where Ian was last seen."

Her husband had become step-father to her two children from a previous marriage.

Mrs Gilbert distributed posters of her advertising representative husband, known as Golly by family and friends, around the area.

I'm hoping it's going to jog someone's memory

Charlotte Gilbert

She said: "Obviously there are a lot of people coming back into Ostend drinking. I'm hoping it's going to jog someone's memory."

At the first bar the group visited the owner, Roland Vamtemme, remembered Mr Gilbert because he was paying for the drinks and Mr Vamtemme's wife warned him to be more careful with his money.

A woman also came forward to tell Mrs Gilbert that she saw her husband drinking with another man in a bar called the Brazaville at 0530, on Saturday 4 May.

The man, known as Brian, was described as 6ft tall, in his late 30s or early 40s with curly dark short hair and a Midlands accent.

Reward

Since his disappearance friends of Mr Gilbert have put up around 40 posters of him across Ostend, as well as at Calais and Dover.

They have also offered a reward of £15,000 for any information relating to his disappearance.

On Saturday Mrs Gilbert will meet Chief Inspector Etienne Vanderijvere to discuss the investigation, which has already included a search of the sea and coastline around Ostend.

Groom Mark Rosier, 27, and his bride-to-be have put their wedding planned for the end of the month on hold.