THE family of a businessman feared kidnapped by an armed gang in Rossendale have refused to give up hope that he is still alive.

Father-of-four Paul Brady, 44, has not been seen since he was alledgedly abducted by a masked gang of up to 10 men, in Weir, eight weeks ago.

Detectives believe he was attacked by the gang, armed with metal poles and possibly a gun, before being bundled into a car and driven off.

His mother Mavis Brady, 66, and sister Joanne Bowker, 42, said they “fear for the worst” and pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

The detective in charge of the investigation said he believed Mr Brady’s disappearance was linked to ‘organised’ drug gangs in Manchester.

Mr Brady, from the Buersil area of Rochdale, was snatched by the gang in Beaufort Road, near Bacup, on August 1.

His mother said: “It has been hell for us over the last couple of weeks.

“We are not sleeping properly and not functioning.

“It is a nightmare. We are just waiting for that knock on the door.

“We just want to stay positive and that is how we are getting through.”

His sister, Mrs Bowker, said: “We do fear the worst but we are hoping for the best.”

Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter said investigations had led police to Stockport and the Heaton Park area.

He said: “We are bracing ourselves that something more serious could have happened to him.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that it is drug-related.

“The activity that he was getting up to before the kidnap and the people that we are interested in mean that we cannot rule that link out.

“If we are talking drugs it will be a well-organised criminal network involving the upper echelons of the criminal fraternity.”

Mr Brady was site manager of a housing development at Lynns Court, Bacup, and had gone with David Collier, 22, to work on the project.

They travelled in two vehicles, which were allegedly ‘boxed in’ by two other vehicles as they left.

Mr Brady was forced out of the car and attacked. He has not been seen since. A reconstruction is being planned for Saturday.

Mrs Brady said: “Please let him go so he can come back home to us. His girlfriend is very upset and his children just want to see him.

“They want to see their daddy. How can you explain this? We are just getting through day-by-day.”

Mrs Bowker said: “This has come as a shock as he was just going about his normal life.

“We do not know that he has been involved in the wrong crowd. We just want him back.”

Detectives appealed for a mystery caller who contacted the incident room with information to get back in touch.

Call Burnley Police Station on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.