Fears are mounting for an Oxfordshire district councillor missing from home for almost a week.

Father-of-two Andrew Creery, 48, from Chedworth Drive, Witney, is a town councillor who has been involved in local government for about seven years. He was last seen by his family last Tuesday morning and they reported him missing when he did not return home that night.

The former Hong Kong police officer was elected as a Conservative councillor for Witney Central ward of West Oxfordshire District Council in 2004, and is not due for re-election until 2008.

Barry Norton, leader of the Conservative-controlled district council, described Mr Creery as "a lovely chap, who is a good local councillor".

He added: "I found out about this 24 hours after he didn't come home, and this has come as a real shock.

"Mr Creery has a wife and two young daughters and this must be very hard for them.

"From what I can gather Andrew ran an IT business from his own home - there was nothing to suggest that he was depressed about anything.

"I believe Mr Creery returned to this country when Chris Patten handed Hong Kong over to the Chinese (in 1997).

"There are probably some councillors who are not even aware of this. We all hope Andrew has simply gone to see a relative and turns up safe and well soon.

"I would urge him to contact his family, the police or me as soon as possible to let everyone know he is OK."

Mr Norton added that Mr Creery had been a district councillor once before, but lost his seat before regaining it in 2004.

"He was an experienced councillor and he had been doing some good work for his constituents in recent weeks," added Mr Norton.

Fellow district councillor Roger Curry told the Oxford Mail he saw Mr Creery in the council offices over a week ago but added that he was not aware his colleague had gone missing.

Thames Valley Police described Mr Creery as 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, with short brown hair and a side parting. Sgt Peter Reid, at Witney police station, said: "He was last seen by his family at 9.30am on Tuesday and we are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.

"I urge Mr Creery to contact police and let us know he is safe and well. I'm calling on anyone who may have seen him to come forward and help us."

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the duty sergeant at Witney via the police inquiry centre on 08458 505505 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.