The distraught family of a father-of-six who has been missing for a month has put up a £20,000 reward for information which leads to his whereabouts.

There have been no sightings of Akram Hussain, 48, since he left his home in Heaton Grove, Bradford, on Tuesday, January 20.

His cousin Azad Rashid said concerns for his safety were growing by the day as his disappearance was so out-of-character.

Mr Rashid said Mr Hussain’s disappearance had placed further strain on his own family, which was continuing to mourn the loss of his daughter Aanisah Rashid in a car crash in Haworth Road last month.

He said: “I haven’t recovered from that and now with my cousin going missing my family is just all over the place. I have known him all my life and if there had been a problem with anything he would have been in touch with the family. So now it is a concern that nothing has been heard of him – there has been no sightings of his car or anything.

“The only option we can see is if we put a reward down.”

Police and family have appealed for anyone who has seen Mr Hussain or his dark green BMW estate, registration W162 NLF.

Mr Hussain, a chef at Caspian takeaway restaurant in Morley Street, Bradford, is also believed to have connections in Dewsbury and Barnsley.

Mr Rashid, a property developer and restaurateur, said: “He has never done anything like this before so sometimes you just fear for the worst.

“There are no other avenues we can go down. We just want him safe and back home – if the reward can get that information then it will be worth every penny.”

Mr Rashid urged anyone with information to contact Airedale and North Bradford CID.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Inquiries are continuing. Police will investigate any new lines which arise and we would continue to encourage anyone who has information to contact Airedale and North Bradford CID on 0845 6060606 or the Missing People charity helpline on 0500 700700.”

e-mail: james.rush @telegraphandargus.co.uk