A HILTON family are desperately waiting for news on missing marathon runner John Lawton, who disappeared during a race in Greece more than a week ago.

A HILTON family are desperately waiting for news on missing marathon runner John Lawton, who disappeared during a race in Greece more than a week ago.

John’s son Steve lives in the village with his wife Rachel and their two children. He flew to Greece last week to join the search for his father, while his 14-year-old son George has set up a Facebook page to support efforts to find his grandad (www.facebook.com/HelpFindJohnLawton).

John, 62, from Cheshire, has not been seen since Sunday, April 8, when he ran in the Taygetos Challenge, near Kalamata. He was last seen when his name was ticked off at the fourth check point along the route.

Speaking from Greece, Steve said: “We need to feel more supported – we are in desperate need of extra help over here. The Foreign Office is aware of the situation and I believe it’s being tabled in Parliament but the more support we can get, the better.”

Rachel said: “It’s the absolutely worst situation to be in. Every minute we are praying for news. We have no idea what has happened to him.”

She said that while her husband had nothing but praise for local volunteers, he was not happy with the level of help from the authorities in Greece and the UK. “The search and rescue volunteers have been amazing and the goodwill has been unbelievable. Where Steve is feeling frustrated is with the practical support the consular and Foreign Office have been able to give.”

She said that her son’s Facebook page has had more than 1,000 hits while 10-year-old Grace wants to raise funds for search and rescue equipment.

Greek police were following up a lead that a woman living close to fifth and final checkpoint on the race route saw Mr Lawton pass her house.

MP Jonathan Djanogly said: “I have written to the Foreign Secretary to ask that he puts pressure on the Greek authorities to maintain this search.”

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said it was providing consular assistance to Mr Lawton’s family and was liaising closely with the Greek authorities.