THE wife of a missing York trainee teacher has issued a fresh appeal for people to help police in tracing him.

Nicholas Harper, from Pickering, who has been working on a placement in Archbishop Holgate's School's science department since last September, went missing on February 7 after leaving his home for work.

His car was later found at Cowhouse Wood, Helmsley.

His wife Rachael said today it was now been more than six weeks since his disappearance, and his family and friends all missed him 'desperately.'

She said: “I appeal to anyone who thinks they have any information that might help us to find Nick, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to please contact the police and help us find out what has happened to him."

North Yorkshire Police said officers investigating the case continued to follow lines of inquiry when information came in from the public, including any possible sightings, particularly in the northern Ryedale and Middlesbrough areas.

Nicholas, a keen long distance fell runner, is about 5ft 5ins tall, of stocky build with short dark brown hair and a full beard, and he was last seen wearing a three piece suit and shirt.

Anyone who thinks they might have seen him, or who has any information which could assist the investigation, is asked to phone police on 101, quoting reference number 12190023491

In particular, officers are keen to trace the owner of a silver estate car which was seen parked in the same area where Nicholas’ car was located.

It is believed this car was parked on the morning Nicholas went missing and also for a couple of mornings beforehand and it may be that the driver has seen or heard something which may assist with the investigation.