Mr Tossell set out to walk to the monastery on Mount Skopos, Zante. Photo: Maesi64

A group of mountain rescuers from Wales will fly out to a Greek island to help in the search for a Bridgend man who has gone missing.

Six members of the Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team have volunteered to join the operation to find Bridgend man John Tossell.

Mr Tossell failed to return to his holiday hotel and his waiting partner Gillian after heading out for a walk to visit a monastery near the top of Mount Skopos on Zante on 17 June.

Greek authorities searched without success for the 73-year-old and his family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to send the Western Beacons rescuers to the island. So far, more than £4,000 has been donated by wellwishers.

The six team members will fly out to Greece on Friday. A team spokesperson said the operation will not affect the ability of Western Beacons MSRT to carry out its activities in the UK.

The spokesperson said: “A further team of volunteers are on standby to assist the continued search. If required these volunteers will fly out over the following days.

“Western Beacons mountain rescue volunteers are working very closely with the Greek authorities and will use their specialist skills in the search for John.”

Scott Wilson-Evans of the team said: “It will be a challenging search on unfamiliar terrain but we remain hopeful on finding John.”

John Tossell, who has gone missing on Zante

On the GoFundMe page, which has a target of £5,000, Mr Tossell’s daughter Katy said: “As a family we desperate to find my dad, bring him home and get some closure on this horrific ordeal.

“We have a team of people who are willing and more than able to help with a thorough search.

“It is a large amount we are asking for but with flights and accommodation in a predominantly tourist area we need to raise as much as we can. Please, please give as much as you can. No matter how small the amount it will help immeasurably.”