THE brother of a man who has been missing from home for more than three weeks today said he was starting to give up hope that he would be found safe and well.

Jim Horthornthwaite, 76, of Ashton House, in Ashton Road, Darwen, has spent the last 23 days searching for his younger brother who has not been seen since walking out of Highfield Residential Home, in Sudell Road, Darwen.

Concerns were raised for the safety of Jack, 70, after he left the home in freezing weather conditions wearing a pair of slippers, tracksuit bottoms, a T-shirt and a jacket.

Jim said despite the foot and mouth outbreak hampering the search for his brother he had looked high and low and said: "We just don't know where he is now. We don't know where to look anymore.

"We are beginning to lose hope but the police say they think he will probably turn up.