Bank chief missing in France contacts family

A MISSING bank chief has contacted his family for the second time.

A note from France arrived at the family home of Ian Lumb addressed to his daughters Jenni, 12, and Nicole, 10.

He revealed in his letter that he has grown a beard to disguise his appearance and is travelling around France, stopping at guesthouses for one or two nights at a time. He is apparently driving a dark grey Renault Twingo and avoiding resorts packed with British holidaymakers. He goes on to say that he is sorry he had to 'disappear'.

Mr Lumb went missing at the same time as pounds 100,000 from two cash dispensers at the National Westminster bank in Bolton, Greater Manchester, where he was assistant manager. He was last seen on 13 May but contacted his in-laws on 17 July while they were on holiday in the Loire Valley. His latest letter arrived on Saturday at the family's home in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.

His wife, Susan, 33, said: 'He is obviously very fearful about what will happen if he comes back. But everything can be sorted out if he will only return. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.'

In his letter to his daughters, Mr Lumb says he is 'thinking about them every moment of the day'.

Mrs Lumb said: 'He believes there is nothing here for him any more, but he is wrong. He can call me at home, at my parents or his parents. The phones are not tapped.'

(Photograph omitted)