Hikers join search for friend

Jeffery Moore (centre) was reported missing by his fiancée Marilyn

A team of hikers have started their own search for their friend who has been missing in the Austrian Alps for nearly two weeks.

Jeffery Moore, 37, from Webb Road in Fareham has not been seen since setting off from the mountain resort of Heiligenblut early on Monday 25 August.

Although an intensive search effort by local police - involving more than 100 units, a helicopter and search dogs - was called off after three days, his friends say he cannot simply have disappeared.

Six fellow hikers left for Heiligenblut on Sunday evening to see if they could solve the mystery of what happened to Mr Moore, who was on holiday with his fiancée Marilyn when he went missing.

But Austrian police believe there is a simple explanation for his disappearance.

'Not fit for alpine climbing'

Lieutenant Johann Schunn, of the Austrian Federal Police, told the BBC: "On Monday morning (25 August), he intended to walk alone to a famous waterfall.

"We think that, while in England he is a mountain hiker, he is not fit for alpine climbing tours.

"We also think that his equipment was not sufficient for the alpine area."

But the search team have said they will be handing out leaflets in the hope someone will remember something.

Heiligenblut is the closest town to the highest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner peak, and is used as a starting point for hikes.