The best friend of a man who vanished without trace three years ago has made an emotional plea for information about him.

Street drinker Alan Crabtree, 44, was last seen in Keighley in September, 2000, and, despite an extensive police investigation, it has never been established if he is dead or alive.

Today his best friend Cath Moore said: "Alan used to come round and visit me every single day - seven days a week."

The mother-of-eight, from Rowlestone Drive, Greengates, Bradford, reported him missing when she did not see him for several days.

She said: "A lot of people would have seen him as an old soak but he had a big heart. People need to remember this was a human being and he was a kind and gentle man. He was like a brother to me."

Miss Moore, 40, said she now believed Alan was dead, adding: "If he was still alive he would have been in touch with me - I am sure of it. I need to know what has happened to him, as do his mother and brother."

At the time of his disappearance, he lived in Tong Street and was last seen visiting friends in Keighley on September 13, 2000.

Detective Inspector Chris Binns, who is leading the hunt, stressed there was no evidence to suggest Mr Crabtree was dead - but, equally, no clear signs he was safe and well.

He released new details about Mr Crabtree in the hope it would jog people's memories.

He was born and bred in the Wibsey area with his brother and went to the Grange School. He had a part-time job at Taplin's Butchers at Rawson Market and then worked at Mark's Chemicals in Wyke when he was 18. Shortly afterwards he was involved in a major accident at Odsal Top which left him with serious medical problems which are thought to have driven him to drink.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Constable Bob Capstick on (01274) 376459.