POLICE admit they are dumbfounded by the disappearance of a Gwent man who has not been seen for al-most four weeks.

Divorced Bryan Mere-dith, 49, who lived alone, has not been seen since April 7 - the day he discharged himself from Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital.

Police believe he may have headed to the Brecon area, although no leads have as yet followed from inquiries in the area.

They think this because they know that a concerned motorist gave Mr Meredith a lift back to his home in Risca after he left the hospital, The motorist said he talked of taking a bus to Brecon to visit friends.

Mr Meredith, an employee of Bar Foods on Cwmfelin-fach industrial estate, was said to have a history of depression.

Despite extensive searches by Gwent police, involving search and rescue dogs, helicopters and off-road bikes all over Risca and the surrounding area, there has been no clues as to Mr Mere-dith's whereabouts.

Bryan's son, Justin Mere-dith, who lives in Australia, flew in last week to join the hunt. Bryan's brother Robert Meredith, 51, also joined the search when he flew over from Austin, Texas, but has since returned home after his inquiries proved fruitless. Inspector Roger Fortey of Risca police said: "We have nothing on this case.

"We searched the local area extensively and we have widened our field to the Brecon area as well but we have had no leads."

He added: "Our enquiries continue and we will carry on until something comes up but it is a bit dumbfounding.

"We have put an awful lot of work into the search. "For example, last weekend we had 25 search and rescue dogs up the Twmbarlwm mountain and altogether there have been around 15 to 25 officers working on this case." Bryan Meredith is described as 5ft 11in tall, with short black hair and brown eyes, a brown beard and moustache, and he wears glasses.

Anyone with any information should contact Risca Police Station on 01633 612391.