THE BRITISH ambassador to Athens said he would press the new Greek government to do ‘everything they can’ to help find a missing Alsager marathon runner.

MP for Sandbach, Fiona Bruce, met David Landsman in Parliament on July 10, as part of ongoing efforts to locate John Lawton, a member of Sandbach Striders running club.

John went missing while competing in the Taygetos Challenge, near the mountainous Kardamill area of southern Greece on April 8.

Tests on a gel rehydration pack found on the marathon course recently confirmed a 99.9 per cent chance it was used by the missing 62-year-old.

The discovery helped narrow the search radius for John, but only volunteers from Cheshire now remain in the region, searching for the missing 62-year-old.

Mrs Bruce said: “I am pleased that our Ambassador accepted my invitation for a private meeting whilst he was in London so that I could reinforce in person to him the importance of ensuring that Greek authorities are continually pressed to offer all possible assistance in the search for John.”

During his meeting with Fiona, the ambassador said: “We have a new Government in Greece now. There will be significant changes in the senior personnel. When I return to Greece, next week, I will see the new minister for citizens protection, in person, as well continuing to approach other senior officials to ask them to do everything they can.”

Greek police called off the search for John after a twenty day hunt involving specially trained dogs and a thermal imaging helicopter.

After the meeting, Fiona said: “I explained to the ambassador the continuing concerns of the Lawton family at what is a very difficult time for them, and hope that his actions once back in Greece will bring about some much needed progress.”

Jon’s wife, Lynda Lawton, told the Crewe Guardian: “I just want someone to find him; someone to find him today. The longer it goes on, the harder it gets to believe that he is alive. We have been married for 42 years. I won’t give up on him. I won’t believe he’s not alive until someone can prove otherwise.”

Please visit www.justgiving.com/johnlawton to help fund the continuing voluntary search for John