THE mother of missing deaf man Brian Sturdy told today of her heartache at him not being home for his birthday.

Betty Sturdy, 69, of Welton Avenue, off Boroughbridge Road, York, said his family had been sick with worry since the 42-year-old vanished from home more than four weeks ago.

Mr Sturdy, who has two brothers and a sister, was last seen near his home on Wednesday, February 16, at 6.30pm. He did not have much money on him and only had the clothes he left with.

"It was his 42nd birthday while he was missing and it's the first time I've never given him a card," Mrs Sturdy said.

"Four weeks have gone now and I can't believe no one has seen him anywhere.

"All I want to know is that he's all right. He has never gone missing before, even for the night."

Mrs Sturdy said her son took a nasty fall in the city centre the day before he disappeared and the police had taken him home.

"The following day he seemed a bit down with himself," she said.

"It can be a lonely life being deaf.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said they were concerned that Mr Sturdy could have fallen again and called on the public to check their sheds and outhouses.

"We've tried most avenues we can think of," he said.

Mr Sturdy, who may have a facial injury, was working at Grays Newsagent, in James Street, two nights a week and was a regular drinker in The Beagle pub, in Thanet Road.

In a direct appeal to her son, Mrs Sturdy said: "You are not in any trouble. We are so worried as to your whereabouts and your safety. If any of his friends and associates have any information, no matter how small, please get in touch with us."

Community beat officers have circulated a photograph of Mr Sturdy across the city in the hope of tracing him.

He is 5ft 9in tall, of thin build, with short, brown, greying hair, blue eyes and a pale complexion. He was last seen wearing a green knee-length waterproof coat, blue and white jumper, navy trousers and black boots. Mr Sturdy also has a speech impediment.

Anyone who has seen Mr Sturdy, or who has any idea of his whereabouts, should phone York Police on 01904 669552 and ask for the duty sergeant.

Updated: 09:37 Saturday, March 19, 2005