Car keys all that's left after father vanishes

Richard George Lyon, 59, went missing sometime on Tuesday after leaving a note saying he did not want to be a burden financially.

Two days later his car keys were delivered by post in an un-franked brown envelope, leaving his concerned family and friends to mount a search for the vehicle so they can potentially pinpoint his location.

His wife of 32 years, Noreen said their son David, 30, was returning from working in Melbourne, Australia, today to help the search effort with son Iain, 26. An internet campaign to trace Mr Lyon has also been launched.

Mrs Lyon, also 59, said her husband's land surveying business in Maybole, Ayrshire, had struggled lately, but he seemed merely "frustrated" and had celebrated David's wedding in June. The couple were due to go on holiday on Thursday.

She said: "I got home around 8pm or 9pm and saw the letter and I went to the police. He said he didn't want to be a burden on my finances. He wants to shelter me from as much as possible.

"Our son David got married in June and he said it was one of the best days of his life. He has lots of friends and no enemies.

"He likes the hills locally so we did our own frantic search. We have contacted everyone trying to find him.

"He knows the country well through his work and climbing. But without finding the car, we can't pinpoint where to start searching. The keys being sent back certainly told me the car was stationary somewhere.

"We would appeal to anyone who may have seen him from Tuesday on. I don't know how much cash he may have had, but it's possible he may have pulled in for petrol somewhere or maybe someone saw the vehicle."

Mr Lyon, of Portcheek Terrace in Kirkmichael, North Ayrshire, was last seen heading to work around 7am on 2 August. The last sighting of the silver-coloured Honda CRV, registration number RJ55 EBP, was around 1:20pm that day, travelling northbound on the A80 near Castlecary.

David Lyon said: "This has come as a huge shock to the whole family and close friends as it is totally out of character for my dad not to let us know where he is.

"The police won't put a search on until they find the car, so that is clearly a priority.

"My dad knows the hills and land very well, so he could be in a remote area or down a trail.

"He did say he was feeling low, and we want to reassure dad that we will be looking after him when we see him again. He means so much to our family."

Chief Inspector Neil Kerr, based at Ayr Police Office, appealed for information as a matter of urgency.

He said: "Mr Lyon has not been missing before and this is completely out of character for him. He has been feeling rather low lately and his family and police are now extremely concerned for his wellbeing."Mr Lyon is 5ft 10in and of medium build with grey receding hair and a full beard. He also wears glasses. He is believed to be casually dressed, wearing jeans, a T-shirt and training shoes.

Mr Lyon, who is originally from Dundee, is a keen climber and was said to have just 40 Munros left to conquer in Scotland.

Anyone with information should contact Ayr police 01292 664000.