Police search friary for missing man

Mr Robson left a note saying he was going to his allotment

Police officers have searched a Franciscan friary in the hunt for a town clerk who has been missing from home for a month.

More than a dozen officers from Durham Police entered the friary of Saint Francis in Alnmouth, following the disappearance of 55-year-old Terry Robson.

Mr Robson, who is town clerk and solicitor for Spennymoor Town Council in County Durham, has not been seen since the early hours of 14 June.

The married father-of-two, who is a diet-controlled diabetic, left a note at 0730 BST at his Kirk Merrington home, saying he was going to his nearby allotment.

Police conducted a land and air search after Mr Robson's car was found abandoned near the friary.

Police have described him as a "deeply religious" man and a member of the Franciscan Order.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police confirmed the officers had gone into the friary.

A spokesman for the Franciscan Order at the friary said: "Mr Robson is a third order member of the Franciscans, but has is not here in Alnmouth.

More than a dozen officers entered the friary in Alnmouth

"We have about 1,500 third order members in England who live their lives according Franciscan beliefs in the regular daily lives.

"Mr Robson is not here with us in Alnmouth but we are all praying for him."

Mr Robson's wife of 31 years, Valerie, has issued a fresh appeal to her husband to return home as detectives revealed someone claiming to be Mr Robson called the national missing person's telephone hotline.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson of Durham Police, said: "We still do believe he is alive.

"A fortnight after he went missing the national missing person's helpline received a call for a male who gave details only Mr Robson or someone close to him would have known.

"Mr Robson was a member of the Franciscan Order and we are looking at retreats in the area."

Mrs Robson, a 55-year-old special school teacher, said: "We all love Terry very much and want him home.

"Whatever has happened in the past will be forgotten as soon as he walks through the door."