SOUTH Yorkshire Police are appealing for information about a man who will have been missing for a year this Friday (November 4).

John Deakin was aged 53 when he left his home on School Lane in the Stannington area of Sheffield on the morning of November 4, 2004.

He was a keen hiker and was last seen in the North Landing car park at Flamborough Head, as he was setting off to walk along the coastal path. However, he did not return to his car and has not made contact with any family or friends since.

Police and the Costguard, joined by Mr Deakin's family, carried out searches but there were no sightings of him.

Mr Deakin's disappearance is totally out of character, and police and his family are understandably very concerned for his welfare. He has a wife, one daughter and a granddaughter who was born after his disappearance.

Patricia Deakin, Mr Deakin's wife, has issued the following statement: "I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in searching for John so far - the Coastguard, the RNLI, South Yorkshire Police (including the Dog Division), National Missing Persons Helpline, Salvation Army, family, friends and the media.

"If John is somewhere safe and well, he has nothing to worry about. Just please make contact or come home. I am missing him more than words can say. His granddaughter is almost a year old and would love to meet him."

Mr Deakin is 5ft feet 6in tall and of medium build. He has thinning dark hair, brown eyes and wears glasses. He was wearing a blue/grey fleece, dark jumper and dark trousers when he went missing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Duncan Cadman on 0114 296 3427 or the confidential Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700 700.