No trace found of missing tourist

Mr Egglestone was carrying walking equipment and a supply of water

Police in Spain have found no trace of a County Durham man who has been missing in Spain for almost a month, Foreign Office officials said.

Michael Egglestone, 52, from Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, left his villa near Alicante, on 1 June to go hiking in the mountains.

A search of the area, involving police helicopters and local volunteers, has so far been unsuccessful.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the search was being scaled down.

Mr Egglestone, a married father-of-four, works for the Learning and Skills Council in Gateshead. His wife Janice returned to the UK earlier this month.

Mr Egglestone is thought to have been making his way to an airstrip used by firefighters, close to the summit of Monte Cocoll, which is a popular vantage point.

Mr Egglestone left the village of Benichembla to trek up Monte Cocoll

A group of expat Britons who have been helping police search for the former soldier said it was unlikely he would be found alive in the remote area.

Durham Police have said Mr Egglestone's family remain hopeful that he may be found.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The Guardia Civil in Spain are continuing their search for Mr Egglestone, although this has been scaled down considerably.

"We are still offering consular support and advice to his family."

Volunteers gave up searching for Mr Egglestone on 15 June after they said he could not survive in the remote area where he was walking.