British man missing in Benidrom found 'safe and sound'

The mother of a British tourist reported as missing since Sunday in Benidorm has annonced that he has been found "safe and sound".

Paul Cartwright, 39, from Greater Manchester, was due to fly home on Monday at the end of his holiday.

His friends said they last saw him near the famous Chaplin’s Bar and returned home without him.

“Thank you to everyone for your help and concern. Paul is home, safe and sound,” his mother Eileen Jones wrote on a Facebook group.

Anguished wife Sara Louise Cartwright had said as she launched appeals for information on Thursday along with his mum that they were booked on a flight out to Spain this Friday to speak with local authorities and get a search going on the ground.

Eileen, in her plea for information, said of the owner of the scaffolding firm based in Bolton: “My son is missing in Benidorm. He was supposed to fly home on Monday.

“He didn't arrive home and we haven't heard from him.

“If you see him please ask him to ring home. We are all very worried. Please let us know if you see him.

"His name is Paul Cartwright, he is 39 years old and he is from Greater Manchester.”

His wife added: “Could anyone confirm if he has been seen in a bar club or outside on the beach front etc.

“He’s called Paul and is believed to have lost his phone. He’s been reported missing and we’re extremely concerned.

“He was due to fly home Monday and missed his flight. The lads he was with last left him near Chaplin’s early hours on Sunday and have since returned home.

“Expect he could be sighted anywhere between the old town and the strip.

“We are due to fly out tomorrow to speak with the authorities in person and get a search going.”

Friend Linzi Kate Pearson, who is also understood to be heading to Spain, wrote in a later message on social media: “Paul is very recognisable as he has half an ear missing.

“Please look out for this if you’re walking around and think it might be him.”

In a message alongside a photo of the missing Brit she added: “He’s a good lad and a good family man please I’m begging you please share it takes two minutes thank you.

“He would be wearing glasses 99 per cent. He’s believed to have been wearing beige chino shorts and a white T-shirt with flip flops.”

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A British tourist went missing at Alicante airport at the end of March last year after a stag do in Benidorm before being found.

Jason Taylor, 36, vanished as he waited for a flight back to Birmingham, sparking a police manhunt which had a happy ending nearly four days later on 1 April when he was spotted walking along a nearby beach.

Police sources said after he was found that the fact he didn’t have his mobile phone on him had caused him extra complications.

Wellwisher Lynn Rawlings said in response to the appeals about missing Paul Cartwright: “Hope you find him soon. What a worry.”

Another Brit said: “We are here in Benidorm and will keep an eye out for him. Hope he’s found soon.”

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