Fears are growing for a man who mysteriously vanished almost three weeks ago on a holiday in Spain.

Nobody has seen or heard from Kevin Hoare since friends left him at the Organics Club in the popular gay resort of Sitges, near Barcelona, at about 4.45am on May 11.

Gay Mr Hoare, 39, of Linden Road, Bognor, failed to meet his brother at Gatwick Airport on May 13 and police are worried that there has been no traffic on his mobile phone and no transactions on his bank account.

Detective Inspector Phil Spencer, leading the search, said: "Kevin is not the sort of person to just disappear without making any contact with his family, who he is extremely close to. We have been learning about Kevin's lifestyle from his family and friends and one thing is absolutely clear - this is totally out of character.

"Kevin is simply not the type of person to just vanish."

Police said Kevin had a good job, his own property, numerous friends and a close family. He was happy with life and had no reason to disappear.

Mr Spencer said: "The fact that there has been no movement on his phone or bank account is making us increasingly concerned for his safety."

Mr Hoare travelled alone to Sitges, a resort 25 miles south of Barcelona and a favourite haunt of TV comic Julian Clary. He met up with two old friends on the night of his disappearance and had dinner with them at their holiday apartment before the three went to the Organics Club.

When Mr Hoare's friends left the club just before 5am he said he wanted to stay.

Officers from Sussex Police are now working with the Spanish authorities and Interpol in a bid to trace Mr Hoare.

Mr Spencer said: "Our inquiries so far have been extensive but we need something more. We appreciate people frequently go missing on holiday but Kevin isn't the kind of person to leave his friends and family behind through choice.

"Something is wrong and we need to find out what it is."

Mr Hoare's brother Alan Hoare, 37, of Moorhen Way, Bognor, said: "When I realised he wasn't on the plane and I tried his phone and it was completely dead then I got worried.

"Since our mother died a couple of years ago we had got closer and every day while he was away we had been texting each other. If he was going to stay longer he would have told me or one of his friends.

"He had a good job and a mortgage for a house and he was financially sound.

"He had commitments which he cared about. I am just hoping that he has met someone or decided he just doesn't want to come home. But then I know he would have told someone.

"He would know our dad and his friends and family would be frantic with worry. "I can't help but think the worst."

Renowned for its night life, Sitges attracts thousands of visitors, including day-trippers from Barcelona, many of them young and well-heeled. The town has a reputation for being gay-friendly, expensive, and arty. The resort is not considered dangerous.

Sales assistant Alan told The Argus that friends had been to the airport to put up posters and try to speak to people but said they had not got anywhere yet.

Anyone with information about Mr Hoare's disappearance should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070 999.