THE sister of a missing Ellesmere Port man who vanished on her wedding day pleaded for him to come home during a press conference this afternoon (Thursday, August 19).

An emotional Kate Williamson, who was supported by her mum Karen Burke, read out a short statement at Blacon Police Station calling for her brother to get in touch.

Labourer John Michael Thomas Burke, 38, had never gone missing before but disappeared at 9.30am on Saturday, August 7, saying he was popping out for cigarettes.

John, who lives with his parents, has two children, a boy and a girl, aged 11 and 13.

Kate, 27, said: “John, please come home. I don’t mind at all that you missed the wedding, all I want to know is that you are safe, we all do. That’s all that matters to us now.

“We love you and miss you. There are so many people who are worried about you and care for you, just please get in touch and let one of us know you are OK.

“Even if you don’t feel like you can come home for whatever reason, just knowing you are safe will put our minds at rest.

“I also want to ask anyone who saw John in the Cambridge Road or Wolverham Road area on Saturday, August 7 to please call the police and give them any information they have, no matter how small.”

Also at the press conference was investigating officer Detective Sergeant Debbie Bellis who admitted she had no further clues as to his whereabouts.

Afterwards, she said: “We know he’s quite a quiet person. He spends all his time with his family, which makes it all the more unusual that he’s missed such a significant family event.

“For his family it has been a difficult time. They are numb and in disbelief. The family love him, the family miss him and they just want him home.”

It is believed John is on foot and does not have access to a car. He is white, about 5ft 4in tall, slim, but stocky in build, with dark hair which is receding at the front.

When he was last seen he was wearing a blue Adidas jacket with grey sleeves and stripes down the sides, a blue Dunlop T-shirt, and white trainers.

If you think you have seen John, please call police on 0845 458 0000.

Police are also appealing to John himself to make contact with police or a family member should he hear this appeal to provide reassurance he is indeed safe and well.