THE parents of a missing Gwent man will mark his 27th birthday tomorrow by offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.

James Nutley, from Deepweir Gardens, Caldicot, disappeared in October 2004 while on a golfing trip with 16 friends in Tenby.

Tomorrow is James' 27th birthday and his parents Jeff and Catherine are to launch a new appeal for information - this time with a £5,000 reward.

James Nutley left friends at a pub at midnight on October 24, 2004, to head back to his hotel, in gale force winds. He never arrived.

Dyfed Powys Police searched on land and sea, they used dogs, helicopters and abseilers but found no sign of James except a few possessions found on the beach near the hotel.

Now Dyfed Powys Police have agreed to man an information hotline accompanying the £5,000 offer. The hotline number is being released tomorrow.

The reward is part of £8,500 raised at a golfing day last October at St Pierre golf club, Chepstow, which was organised by James' family and friends.

Mr and Mrs Nutley spent the rest of the money on poster campaigns and hope this reward will bring answers.

Mr Nutley said: "This is what we wanted to do all along but the police were not keen.

"Now they've agreed - 22 months later. It's frustrating but we're pleased."

The family will also mark James' birthday by going to Tenby with James' grandfather and a close friend, Tony Croke.

They will also be viewing new CCTV footage from the night James vanished - held by police - and hope to be able to identify the figures featured.

Mr Nutley said: "His birthday will be a sad day.

I thought it would get easier but it hasn't. We really need closure. What happened is still a mystery. We pray for James every day."

Since James went missing his family and friends have campaigned to find him or discover what happened that night. They say they remain positive about the chance of finding him.

Since James' disappearance his family and friends have set up a website at www.findjamesnutley.com; sent his picture around the country on milk cartons from Iceland; raised £8,500 through a golf day; launched several poster campaigns; and now offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.