THE brother of missing Bryan Meredith has flown from Am-erica to join in the search for him.

Robert Meredith, 51, arrived from Austin, Texas last week. He says he is desperate to find his younger brother before he has to return to the US on Wednesday.

He says he now has some insight into how families of the victims of the terrorist attacks in America felt after September 11, when they had no idea what had happened to their loved ones.

"They were going about with pictures of their family, not knowing what had happened to them," he said.

"It is hard not knowing what has happened to someone you love."

He added that their 73-year-old widowed father Ron, who lives in the family home in Fflorens Road, Treowen, near Crumlin, is extremely concerned.

Bryan Meredith, 49, went missing on April 7 after he had been treated at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, and has not been seen since.

He lived alone in Risca, working at Bar Foods on the Cwmfelinfach Industrial estate, and is said to have a history of depression.

"He took our mother's death six years ago very hard," said Mr Meredith, who is staying with relatives in New Inn, Pontypool.

He says his brother seemed to be all right the last time they spoke on the telephone.

He says he is hopeful that his brother is safe and is now telephoning old friends to try to find out where he may have gone.

Robert Meredith added that his brother's son Justin, who is in Australia, is also frantic about his father and is telephoning often.

"We just want to find out what has happened to him," Mr Meredith added.

He says he wants his brother to know how concerned the family are about him - and that it would be wonderful to see him.

Bryan Meredith is described as 5ft 11in with short black hair, brown eyes, a brown beard and moustache, and he wears glasses.

* Anyone with any information is asked to contact Risca police station on 01633 612391.