THE family of a man who has been missing without a trace for more than a year have said they are desperately seeking closure.

Nigel Griffiths disappeared last February. Despite numerous appeals there has been no news or sign of him. He would now be 44 years old.

Mr Griffiths, who was born and bred in Uxbridge and was a courier driver for Cowley firm Bureau Veritas, had suffered a series of financial misfortunes before going missing.

His brother, Kevin Griffiths, who lives in Bournemouth, spoke to the Gazette this week about the family's anguish on the anniversary of his dis-appearance.

"He had never disappeared before (but) he was often threatening to do something stupid," he said.

"I find it very hard to believe that somebody else was involved in his disappearance.

"What is most disconcerting for the family is that since he went missing his bank account has not been touched, and he was usually the first to buy everyone a pint.

"He was not very good with money, he spent every penny he earned."

It was financial problems which led to Nigel Griffiths losing his flat in St Helen's Close, Cowley, two months before he went missing.

He had to give up his two dogs because he had no way of looking after them.

After that he spent a couple of months sleeping on friends' sofas and living between addresses.

His brother said: "The family just cannot get our head around the fact he has been missing for so long.

"Obviously we don't get a good feeling with his money not being touched, but the police have been sure to say a body doesn't just go unnoticed."

Days after his disappearance, Mr Griffiths' van was discovered at a car park in Cowley but contained no clue to his fate. He was last seen in West Drayton.

His brother added: "He was a well known character around Cowley and West Drayton - everybody knew him.

"He had so many groups of friends. He was also into fishing.

"He was always in and out of all the different pubs around there, but he was a mess with money.

"He had girlfriends, he needed to be with someone; he couldn't be by himself."

Police believe Nigel has possible links to Amsterdam and have made a fresh appeal for information.

Acting Detective Sergeant Kier Newman, of Hillingdon police, said: "Nigel's family continue to be very concerned for his welfare and are keen to hear any news about him.

"Nigel has now been missing for over a year and has recently had a birthday, which has made the anniversary of his disappearance all the more difficult for his family."

* Anyone with any information on Mr Griffiths' whereabouts is urged to call Hillingdon Missing Persons' Unit on 020 8246 1791 in office hours, or call the national charity Missing People on 0500 700 700.