THE FAMILY of a Caldicot man who went missing with a rifle say they are preparing themselves for the worst nine days after his disappearance.

Derek John Upton, 64, a retired steelworker from Caldicot disappeared last Sunday.

Police have still had no sightings of Mr Upton, whose car was recovered from the mud flats near the Moors at Rogiet last Monday.

His sister Susan Davies, from Church Road, Caldicot said last night: "We are trying to prepare ourselves for the worst. But if that's the way it's gone I just want an end to it.

"We have contacted all his friends and people from the Gwent Wildlife Trust have been out looking for him.

"It's just a waiting game - not knowing is terrible."

Mrs Davies saw her brother the week before he went missing.

She said: "We were very close and I did find it strange he didn't mention he wanted to get away from it all.

"Perhaps that's the worst thing - that he was covering problems up."

She and two of Mr Upton's friends have been looking after his son, Dean, 42, who has learning difficulties.

She said: "They have been taking it in turns to stay over and keep things as normal as possible for him.

"The police have been marvellous and kept in touch every step of the way." Mrs Davies described her brother as a gentle, thoughtful man and said his disappearance was completely out of character.

She said: "For him not to call Dean is unusual - when he worked shifts at Llanwern he'd always call home. Dean was his life."

Mr Upton loved wildlife and the estuary. Mrs Davies said: "No-one knew that estuary better than Derek. He could name every plant and insect.

"He is such an intelligent man - it's such a shame his life had obviously gone wrong."

Mr Upton's 95-year-old father James also lives in Caldicot and Mrs Davies' sister is coming over from Ireland to support them.