'YOUR family misses you and needs you back.' That's the impassioned plea going out to a Southampton grandfather who walked out of his home three weeks ago and has not been seen since.

Donald Sim has not been spotted since April 5 when he left the home he shares with wife Janet, taking nothing but a spare pair of trousers and a T-shirt.

Police have revealed that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Mr Sim for matters relating to unpaid fines at Southampton Magistrates' Court - and his family say they only want to help.

Mr Sim's 35-year-old daughter Mandy Sim-Cornes is desperate that he gets in touch before the christening of his second grandchild - five-month old Daniel - who will be baptised on May 1.

Mandy and her brother Kevin Sim, who has a three-year-old daughter Holly, are not aware of any friends their father could be staying with and just want to know he is okay.

Since 62-year-old Mr Sim left his home in Shirley Road, his family has found bills and demands for money suggesting the former security worker was facing financial difficulties.

Mrs Sim-Cornes said: "I want him to come back so much, I'm sure he wants to be at the christening. We do think the reason is because he had some financial worries. He has gone missing in the past but never for this long, only for a couple of days.

"You don't know what state of mind he is in. We just want to know he's all right. Mum is suffering too - it was so out of the blue."

Kevin Sim wants his dad to come home and share his problems with the family.

"We know about some of the money problems and we just want to speak and to help. We feel he should be able to talk to his own family," he said.

If you have seen Mr Sim contact police on 0845 045 4545.