Police seek help to find missing chef

Police have appealed to hoteliers and restaurateurs to help trace a Derby chef who has been missing for more than a year.

Michael Smith, 33, was last seen by his parents in December 1999, when he told them he was taking a job as a chef in Wolverhampton.

His family said that he used to keep in contact intermittently, but they have become increasingly worried because he has not been in touch.

In the past 10 years, Smith has worked at the International hotel and the Pierre Victoire and Palm Court restaurants in Derby, in the Pack Horse pub, King's Newton, Derbyshire, and in Glaister's restaurant, Chelsea, London.

Smith is white, 5ft 7in tall, slim, with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He has worn a moustache in the past.

Police want anybody with knowledge of where he is to ring them on 01332 222185 or contact the missing persons helpline on 0500 700700.