The wife of a depressed shopfitter has put out a desperate plea for him to phone home after he went missing eight days ago.

The anxious family of Derek Norwood, from Wharncliffe Crescent, Eccleshill, said he has never gone missing for long periods before.

But wife Joan said her 58-year-old husband had become more depressed in the past month before just walking out of work at Cardinal Shopfittings and Systems, Shipley, without even his coat on Monday last week.

She said: "If he doesn't want to come back, all we want is a phone call to know he's all right and unharmed. He's got four children and seven grandchildren who are really worried about him.

"We've tried all his usual pubs and rang all his friends but no one knows where he is. He has just vanished.

"It's very difficult now because I've got no money. We've been married for 38 years and it's taken me by surprise, but he had been getting worse over the past month or so despite medication."

Daughter Carol Wilson, 37, said her dad lived on his nerves and would be in a very agitated state.

She said: "He hated work and that's what made him depressed. He just seems to have walked out of work after a couple of hours.

"He has wandered off early before but just popped into the pub before coming back home.

"Now we don't know what to think. We're getting on with our lives the best we can."

Inspector Neil Benstead, of Eccleshill Police, said: "Extensive enquiries have failed to establish Mr Norwood's whereabouts and the police would urge him to contact either his family or the police station.

"It is believed Mr Norwood has sufficient money with him to support himself for several weeks and may be living at an address unknown to his family.

"We would encourage anyone with information to come forward. Any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Anyone who can help should ring West Yorkshire Police on 01274 376059.