Missing Holidaymaker Still Alive, Says Family

The brother of a holidaymaker who vanished in Crete 10 years ago says the family "miss him like you wouldn't believe" and are "sure he's alive".

Steven Cook, from Sandbach, in east Cheshire, disappeared on a night out in Malia with friends in 2005, when he was 20.

It was the first holiday he had taken without his family.

Despite several TV appeals, Steven has not been found, and the family have launched a fresh appeal on the 10th anniversary of his disappearance - he vanished on the night of 31 August 2005.

As part of the renewed appeal Cheshire police have issued an image of how Steven might look now.

Brother Chris, 40, from Cheshire, told of "the bemusement and hopelessness" that has haunted his family.

"You can see the stress it's placed on my mum and dad," Chris said.

"They just aged overnight. Mum lost so much weight because she had no appetite. Of course they were absolutely knocked sideways and devastated.

"It is ridiculous the way it manifests itself. Even now, if I get a phone call at work and there's a pause on the phone, I'll get a flash back...If we are expecting someone to be home at a certain time or if anything goes off-plan...

"We don't really celebrate birthdays or Christmases as nothing is really the same."

There have been several apparent sightings of a man fitting Steven's description by holidaymakers on Crete and nearby island Rhodes.

These have convinced mother Pat, 71, father Norman, 71, sister Lisa, 42, brothers Chris, 40, and Tony, 38 that he is still alive.

However, they believe he may have a head injury or trouble communicating.

Chris said: "It is a real double-edged sword. It's great that people are still looking but we can't do anything physical about it and we are just playing a waiting game.

"It's all been a complete mystery but we have always believed we will find him. We are sure he's alive."

He added that words his brother spoke to him during the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul have since comforted the family.

In the game, Liverpool rallied from three-nil down to beat favourites AC Milan on penalties.

"It was the worst football match you could have imagined and then with a flick of a switch it became an amazing turn around," Chris said.

"I was having a bit of a moan to Steve, and he said to me 'We can do it, we've just got to believe, believe, believe'.

"That's the saying we say now when we get down. I believe there are a lot of parallels."

Steven's family are offering a €7,000 (£5,100) reward for information leading to his whereabouts.

A family statement added: "We hope and pray that people going to any of the Greek islands keep an eye out for him.

"Please help us to reunite our family so that we can all laugh and smile together again."