A Bradford school teacher who sparked a major police search when he went missing from home is receiving medical help after turning up safe and well.

Neil Broadbent was found in the Keighley area only hours after his family made a desperate plea for him to return.

Fears were growing for Mr Broadbent, 47, who teaches maths at Queensbury Upper School, Queensbury, Bradford.

The father-of-two, of Parry Close, Harden, near Bingley, was reported missing almost a week ago.

Police were talking to him over the weekend to try to piece together his whereabouts.

Neighbours said Mr Broadbent's Seat Ibiza car reappeared at his home overnight on Saturday although he was not in the house.

They said that police, who entered the property in the days Mr Broadbent was missing, had boarded up the front door.

On Friday, detectives put out an urgent appeal to trace Mr Broadbent who had last made contact with a friend on December 6.

On Saturday, his sister Dawn Rowles made a heartfelt plea for him to come home. At 6.10pm that day, Inspector Adrian Lyles, force duty officer with West Yorkshire Police, said: "Neil has been located safe and well in the Keighley area and is currently receiving some appropriate counselling.

"The police are making general inquiries as to where he has been since December 11."

It is believed Mr Broadbent was off work sick when he went missing.

His disappearance was reported to police last Tuesday.

Police said it was completely out of character and both they and his family were very concerned for his welfare.

Mrs Rowles, who lives in the county, said: "Neil, please, please, please come home, or contact us.

"We all love you dearly and miss you terribly. We need to know that you are OK.

"We are your loving family, children and girlfriend, and are here to support you."

Acting Detective Inspector Sharon Hewitt, of Keighley Police, said Mr Broadbent was receiving medical help. She would not say if he was in hospital.

She said he was found in the Keighley area, although not at his home address.

She said officers had spoken to Mr Broadbent who might be suffering from depression.

During the missing person inquiry, Acting Det Insp Hewitt said there had been no reported sightings of Mr Broadbent since he went missing and no definite leads to follow.

She confirmed that police had searched Mr Broadbent's home and said it was routine procedure in a missing person investigation.

"There were some concerns about his safety and about the way he was feeling and we wanted to know that he was safe and well," she said.

Councillor Michael Walls, a governor at Queensbury Upper School, Deanstones Lane, Queensbury, said: "Mr Broadbent is a well respected teacher of maths at the school and we are relieved to hear he is safe and well."

Coun Walls (Con, Queensbury) added: "On behalf of the school, and the governors, I would say that this is a great relief to all connected with the school."

e-mail: jenny.loweth @bradford.newsquest.co.uk