THE wife of a man who went missing from his Wisbech home after going out for a walk has made an emotional appeal for his return.

In a direct and heartfelt plea to her husband Malcolm, Annette Brown said: “I just want to you to know that I love you to bits.”

The 66-year-old, commonly known as Mac, left his home in Falklands Drive at about 6.30pm on Tuesday (October 23) despite Annette pleading with him to stay in because it was dark.

“I didn’t want him to go as we never go out in the dark,” she said.

“However he is a very strong and proud person and he was adamant that he needed to go for his walk. He was very determined and I couldn’t persuade him.

Annette, 64, thought he would be back within an hour but called close friends living nearby when he didn’t return by 8.30pm.

Police have been looking for Mac ever since and have regularly visited Annette to comfort her and show her maps of where they have searched.

PC Lorna Owen, from Cambridgeshire Police’s missing persons department, said: “We are concerned about Malcolm because his disappearance is out of character.

“He left on foot with little money, no phone or extra clothing for cold weather and has made no contact with family or friends.”

Annette added: “It feels as if the house has had its heart ripped out of it.”

She says she has spent many nights since Mac’s disappearance sitting by the window of their home with the front door open in the hope he will walk back in.

The couple, who have been married 33 years, had enjoyed the “most wonderful summer together” as Mac’s retirement from Wisbech firm SB Components meant they could finally fulfil their dream of buying and living in a caravan at East Runton near King’s Lynn.

On the day of his disappearance they had been unpacking everything from the caravan at home ready to store for the winter.

She confirmed they had not had a row, had been in a calm mood before going out for his walk and was not ill at the time, save for taking a few blood pressure tablets as a precaution due to his age.

She also said he was “very sociable” and enjoyed making friends and meeting new people.

“We always said to each other ‘love you shedloads’ and we meant it,” Annette added. “I just want him to walk back in here and be at home with me.

“I never ever dreamt this would happen. It is so out of character.”

Mac is described as white, 5ft 6in, slim, with light brown receding hair. He was wearing a grey jacket, black jumper and blue trousers.

Anyone with information should contact Cambridgeshire Police on 101.