Christopher Hilton, 33, went hiking on July 27 and has not been seen since, despite air and land searches by the French authorities.

Mr Hilton was on holiday with his parents, with whom he lives, when he vanished.

The science teacher at Littlemoss High School in Stalybridge had watched the later stages of the Tour de France with his mother and father.

On July 27 they were at Le Bourg-d'Oisans near Grenoble, when he told his mother he was going for a hike in the mountains on an approved route.

But he has not been seen since and did not answer desperate calls to his mobile phone. His parents have now returned to England.

Mr Hilton was club photographer for Hyde United and a key member of the team of volunteers helping to run non-league football club.

Tony Beard, director of football, spoke to Mr Hilton's mother on Thursday.

He said: "From what his mother told me, he went hiking on a particular route.

"He's been hiking before. There was no evidence of stress or strange behaviour."



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