AN APPEAL has been made for the safe return of a 35-year-old man who has been missing for 10 days.

Sharon Monaghan said she last saw her partner Lance Hindley at their Slater Avenue home, Colne, at 1.50pm on Saturday, June 19.

She received a text message from Lance to say he had gone to see family in Blackburn, but then he left them after a brief visit.

When he failed to return home in time for work the following Monday, she reported him missing to police.

Officers confirmed an investigation to find Mr Hindley had been launched and added to the appeals for his return.

District nurse Sharon, 51, said he had been suffering from stress, but described his disappearance as ‘a shock’.

She said: “It’s totally out of character.

“Before he’s gone to see family and he’s always come back.

“We are all worried sick. I keep getting the same story off everybody – that he was happy.”

Sharon said Mr Hindley works at Glenfield Bakery in Northrop Avenue, Blackburn, where he is from originally.

He is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall, stocky, with blue eyes and short brown hair and with an eagle tattoo on his left upper arm.

Mr Lindley was last seen wearing a pale blue t-shirt and blue Berghaus coat with jeans or grey jogging bottoms and brown Deakin boots.

Detective Inspector David Davenport, of Lancashire Police, agreed his disappearance was ‘completely out of character’.

He said: “Lance has never been missing before and I would urge him to come forward and let us know he is safe.

“If anybody knows of his whereabouts they should contact police immediately.”

Sharon added: “Please come home or phone the police to let us know you’re OK.”

Anybody with any information should contact police on 01282 472209 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.