Friends lose hope for missing man

Bill Sutherland went missing while walking in the mountains alone

Friends of the missing Kent climber Bill Sutherland are coming to terms with the fact there is now little hope of finding him alive.

The 50-year-old from Tonbridge went missing while climbing in the Picos de Europa mountains in Spain on 28 May.

Mr Sutherland, who went walking alone, had travelled with more than 30 climbers from the Gwydyr Mountain Club.

Club member John Huxley said: "It would be nice to find Bill to give the family some closure."

Search scaled down

A search was undertaken by mountain rescue teams, but has now been scaled down.

Mr Sutherland's brother David flew to northern Spain when he heard he had disappeared, but has now returned home.

He said: "There are obviously doubts that, if Bill is still up there, he is alive."

Friends and family have tried to reach the climber on his mobile phone, but have received no reply.