Missing man's family stay hopeful

Mr Cook was on holiday with friends

The family of a Liverpool student who went missing on holiday in Crete have not given up hope of finding him alive.

Steve Cook, 20, of Sandbach, Cheshire, disappeared after a night out with friends on the day they arrived in the resort of Malia on 31 August.

His brothers, Tony, 28, and Chris, 30, flew out to Crete on Sunday to look for him, while Steve's friends fly out on Friday to join the search.

Tony said there was nothing to suggest anything sinister had happened.

Out of character

"As far as we know, he could be wandering the streets, he could be lying in hospital, it could be anything," he said on his return to the UK.

"There is nothing at all to indicate that anything sinister has happened."

Mr Cook's family say his disappearance is out of character.

First Choice, which Mr Cook used to book the holiday, have offered discounted seats on a flight from Manchester airport on Friday night for the search party of friends.

Cash appeal

Graham Mattingley, who is helping co-ordinate the search through his malia.co.uk website, said the search team needed more financial help.

"They need money to transport them, to make flyers, posters and t-shirts to help with the search, as well as transfers from the airport and accommodation," he said, adding that donations could be made through the website.

Mr Cook, a student at Liverpool John Moores University, was due to fly home on Wednesday, but did not check in.

Ex-pats living on the island have also joined the search effort.