Body of man pulled from Bootle Dock believed to be that of Bernard Cook

May 19 2009 By Kevin Core

Bernard Cook

"We are all desperate to see him again and we'd do anything to have him home with us, so he could give us a big hug."

Appeals also focused on hitch hiking in his youth, and drivers were asked had they spotted someone hitching at the time.

But despite national media attention no progress was made in the search for Mr Cook despite a number of supposed sightings up and down the country, including one placing him in a church.

Meticulous checks of his bank and mobile phone records showed no accessing of his accounts after his disappearance.

His wife spoke of an increasing workload which may have led to some kind of breakdown and even amnesia.

Police began a recovery operation at the Bootle dock on Friday after the initial discovery of the vehicle.