New lead in five-year mystery

Richard Higgins vanished in 1998

New information may help trace a man who vanished five years ago while making his way home from Australia to the UK.

Richard Higgins became the subject of an international appeal when he disappeared in March 1998 as he returned to Bristol to visit his dying grandmother.

The 35-year-old had been living in New Zealand since 1995, but left his job and his girlfriend saying he planned to travel home and see his family.

He never arrived in Britain, but did make it to Australia where there were several sightings in Melbourne.

'A dream'

New information just revealed by police suggests Mr Higgins called a friend in 1998, saying he might go to Mildura, about 500 kilometres from Melbourne.

It is thought that an ex-girlfriend used to live there.

Australian police are investigating.

His parents, Barry and Margaret, from Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, and the police are seriously concerned for his welfare.

Barry Higgins said: "It's hard to believe it has happened to you. It's like a dream."

Mechanic Mr Higgins flew from New Zealand to Australia, and may have gone on to Indonesia, and possibly to Frankfurt in Germany.

He never made contact with his family or friends, and left many personal possessions behind.

Avon and Somerset Police have traced people who saw him in Sydney and Melbourne in April and June 1998, but nothing has been heard of him since.