Brother hopes sibling will return after 25 years

Gerald Quigley, who was living in Walker, Newcastle, was reported missing by his girlfriend in 1999

The family of a man who went missing 25 years ago said they remain hopeful that one day he will return.

Gerald Quigley was 25 years old when he disappeared from his home in Walker, Newcastle, on 3 April, 1999.

Despite no new information or sightings, his family, who live in the south-east of England, continue to search for answers.

Northumbria Police is urging anyone with information to make contact so Mr Quigley's loved ones can get "the closure they deserve".

His younger brother, Pete Quigley, now 45, from Kingston upon Thames, said he still has hope his brother is alive after being missing for a quarter of a century.

"Until there's evidence to show otherwise you have to hold on to that hope, cause it's that hope that drives you forward," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

Their mother, Yvonne, said her "maternal instincts" lead her to the same conclusion, and their late-father, Gerry, also believed he would see his son again.

Mr Quigley said, after his father's death in 2013, it was "difficult to know they will never reconnect".

Pete Quigley, pictured left as a young boy with Gerald, believes his brother could be alive

He added "the door is always open" for his brother to return home, no matter how much time had passed.

Despite a lengthy police investigation, which included inquiries in London and Surrey, he had not been found.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with Gerald’s family.

“Gerald has now not been seen for almost 25 years and in that time we have carried out a full investigation and several reviews as part of attempts to find him."

Anyone with new information should contact the force through its report a missing person page.

The charity Missing People also continues to have a page for Mr Quigley on its website.