'The wife of a missing councillor has made an emotional appeal for him to come home as police remain confident he is still alive.

Andrew Creery, a respected West Oxfordshire district councillor and Witney town councillor, was last seen at his family's home in Chedworth Drive, on the town's Deer Park estate, on Tuesday, June 6.

Fears starting mounting for his welfare after he failed to return home and Thames Valley Police launched a major search, involving other police forces.

Yesterday, police in Witney revealed they were confident Mr Creery, 48, was still alive and said he could be in Oxfordshire.

They joined his wife, JoJo and the couple's two daughters, aged 11 and 16, to appeal to Mr Creery to get in touch.

Speaking for the first time since his disappearance, Mrs Creery, who met her husband in Hong Kong while he was working there as a police officer, said: "Dear Andy, please, please come home.

"The girls and I are very worried about you, miss you and can't wait for you to come back.

"We know there are many problems facing us but we can deal with these together, as a family.

"We love you. Please come home."

Although he could not reveal details, Ch Insp Dennis Evernden, the local police area commander for West Oxfordshire, said extensive inquiries locally and with other police forces led his team to believe that Mr Creery was "alive and well" on June 17.

Officers had tracked down relatives, friends and contacts in other counties which had helped with inquiries, but no direct contact had been made with Mr Creery.

Ch Insp Evernden said Mrs Creery's plea made it clear there were "personal problems" that could have led to Mr Creery's disappearance.

He said everyone, including police, was anxious to hear that he was all right.

He said: "You've heard from his wife JoJo just how desperately sad and worried she and their two daughters are.

"He is an adult and we're not saying he has got to go home.

"We just urge him to let someone know he is safe and well."

Mr Creery, who was elected as a Conservative district councillor for Witney Central ward in 2004 and has served as a Witney town councillor for seven years, was described by fellow councillors as a "friend as well as a colleague".

Witney mayor Chrissie Curry, who has worked on town council matters with Mr Creery over the past three years, said his disappearance shocked everyone.

Ms Curry, whose partner David Harvey is also a West Oxfordshire district councillor and town councillor, said: "Everyone is desperately worried, no-one saw this coming.

"I'd like to say directly to Andrew that we are all here for you and we all care about you just please get in touch."

District council leader Barry Norton also appealed for Mr Creery, who ran an IT business from home, to make contact.

"We all hope he turns up safe and well soon," he said.

Mr Creery is 5ft 8ins, of medium build, with short brown hair and a side parting.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.