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This Christmas thousands of people in the UK are hoping for a present money can’t buy - news of their loved one who is missing from home.

Over the last few months the ECHO has been working with the charity Missing People to try and trace those from Merseyside who have gone missing.

Some families have spent years not knowing what has happened to their relative - imagine how you would feel if it was your parent, sibling or child?

Jo Youle, CEO at Missing People, said: “If someone you loved went missing wouldn't you want the world to stop and look for them?

“We are very grateful to the Liverpool Echo for raising awareness of appeals and would encourage all readers to keep their eyes and ears out. They could help reunite a family or bring a vulnerable missing person to safety.”

Here we round up all the missing people stories we have feature so far. If you recognise anyone and have information that you think could help, call or text 116 000 or click here to complete a report a sighting online.

Helen Montgomery

Age at disappearance: 45

Missing Since: August 6, 2008

Missing from: Wirral

Helen is originally from South Africa and has family there and in the UK. Helen is described as white, 5ft 5ins tall, of a slim build, with shoulder length wavy dark brown hair and brown eyes.

Brendan Taaffe

Age at disappearance: 39

Missing Since: January 26, 2010

Missing from: Birkenhead

Brendan was last seen at his sister’s house in Larch Road, Birkenhead. More than four years on, his mother Ina, son Louis, and the rest of the family continue to search for him.

Brendan is a joiner and has worked on building sites as a general labourer and brick layer. He may have travelled to London to find work.

He is described as 6ft 1in, of medium build with dark brown hair that is receding and blue eyes. He has a tattoo on his left wrist of a celtic cross and on his right, a tribal marking.

Kevin Fasting

Age at disappearance: 49

Missing Since: November 21, 2003

Missing from: Aigburth, Liverpool

The father-of-three, who has become a granddad since he disappeared, left his parents’ home on Ampthill Road, Aigburth for work in Bootle and never returned. He has been a missing person case ever since with no signs of his whereabouts.

His son, also called Kevin, said: “The biggest regret I have is that he left when I just turned 21, when I was still very much a kid, and he never got to see the man that I turned out to be. Everything I have achieved since, and aim to achieve, is to make him proud.”

Kevin is 5ft 10ins, slim with brown hair and blue eyes. He has a Liver Bird and LFC tattooed on his right forearm.

Paul Fahy

Age at disappearance: 33

Missing Since: February 18, 2002

Missing From: Liverpool

Paul’s two sons Craig and Daniel, and his mother, Sandra Howarth, have never given up looking for him.

In 2010, Sandra appealed for information again at Christmas, saying, “We love and miss you and just want you to get in touch.”

Paul is 5ft 7ins with blue eyes, blond hair and an LFC tattoo on his lower left arm. He had worked as a bricklayer and joiner.

Paul had a history of mental health problems and was on medication to treat bipolar disorder.

Nam Ngyuen

Age at disappearance: 16

Missing Since: February 25, 2012

Missing From: Liverpool

Nam is 5ft 5ins tall.

Philip Fudge

Age at disappearance: 21

Missing Since: December 10, 1995

Missing From: Merseyside

A member of the Territorial Army, Philip disappeared after attending a Christmas party at HMS Eaglet Barracks. He left in a taxi with two girls and has never been seen since.

A five week search of Liverpool’s Princes Dock was carried out, with divers and a helicopter scouring 200 miles of coastline, but no trace was found.

Originally from Hull, Philip is a qualified chef and baker, and was working as a lorry driver when he was last seen.

He is 5ft 10in tall and has blue eyes. At the time he went missing he was of heavy build and had fair short hair.

James Morrell

Age at disappearance: 43

Missing Since: July 5, 2005

Missing From: Fazakerley hospital

When James went missing, he walked from ward three of Fazakerley hospital, where he was being treated for depression, wearing only his green pyjamas. He didn’t take his wallet or phone.

The laboratory technician, from Crosby, left behind two young daughters and his twin brother John.

Following his disappearance, John told the ECHO: “We have been told there is a possibility that he is dead but as time goes on and they haven't found a body, it makes me think that he is still alive. Someone must have seen him with his pyjamas on.”

Brian Hesketh

Age at disappearance: 34

Missing Since: January 4, 1994

Missing From: Liverpool

Brian told colleagues he was taking an early lunch on January 4, 1994, but he never returned and has not been seen since.

He worked as a civil engineer for the council but had been unhappy at work before he went missing.

Brian was single and had been living in Gateacre with his parents. He is 6ft 1in, of heavy build, with dark hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark suit, with a collar and tie, but might have had an anorak over his suit.

On the 10th anniversary of his disappearance, Brian’s brother Peter told the ECHO: "But my gut feeling is that he is alive and I never give up hope that we will one day see him again."

Alessandro Severitano

Age at disappearance: 40

Missing Since: October 22, 2014

Missing From: Liverpool

On the day he disappeared, Alessandro was last seen by a friend at around 9pm at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

He is described as white, of medium build, around 5ft 10in tall with black curly hair.

When last seen he was wearing a light blue Adidas hooded top and tracksuit bottoms. He is known to frequent the area around the University of Liverpool campus, including Crown Street and Riding Street.

His disappearance is totally out of character and Alessandro’s friends and family are desperate for news.

Dennis Attobrah

Age at disappearance: 47

Missing Since: December 4

Missing From: London

Little is known about the circumstances of Dennis Attobrah’s disappearance from Catford in London, but he is thought to be in Liverpool where his family is from.

Nicholas Palmer

Age at disappearance: 34

Missing Since: February 26, 2003

Missing From: Runcorn

Nicholas had been living on his own when he went missing and little is known about his disappearance.

He didn't take any luggage with him; just a khaki canvas holdall, his driving licence, passport and benefits book.

Vo Van Long

Age at disappearance: 16

Missing Since: October, 2014

Missing From: Whitley Bay

Vo Van Long was last seen in Newcastle but police believe he may be in Liverpool.

He also has links to London and Glasgow.

He is described as 5ft 1in with dark, straight, spikey hair which is shorter at the side and longer on the top.

He wears a silver chain around his neck and was last seen wearing a navy blue zip front jacket, navy tracksuit bottoms and a dark grey Adidas trainers with yellow trim. He was carrying a light denim rucksack.

Mark Garvey

Age at disappearance: 15

Missing Since: March 2, 1987

Missing From: Queens Drive

Mark, from Bootle disappeared following an argument. He left saying he was going to get the bus and only had enough money for the fare on him.

Normally Mark would have phoned home if he was going to be late, but the call never came.

He was last seen near the Jolly Miller pub, near Queen’s Drive.

Mark’s family have described his disappearance as completely out of character and wait in hope that news will come. It was his 43rd birthday on December 12.