The parents of a 29-year-old Great Baddow man are still praying for a miracle after their adventure-loving son disappeared in Central American jungles four months ago.

Brian and Anne Winder have been told by the authorities concerned that they have only a five per cent chance of seeing Paul alive again.

Mr Winder, 64, an IT accountant, has just returned from a fortnight's fact-finding trip to Panama, following in his son's footsteps.

Locals told him that the border with Colombia was overrun by left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug runners, and robbers.

"They said that I would not live to see the border if I tried to find Paul," said Mr Winder.

As practising Catholics, the parents keep faith that he is being held hostage, and prayers for his safe return are being said at the family church, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Great Baddow.

The Winders last heard from Paul via an e-mail on March 6, but did not contact the British Embassy in Panama until May because he often went "missing" while globetrotting.

Paul, who works for a London merchant bank, had set off from Paya, eastern Panama, for Colombia, across the notorious Darien Gap. He was travelling with 24-year-old Tom Hart Dyke, from Kent, described as the Indiana Jones of the botanical world, who treks for rare orchids.

They first met in Puerto Rico while climbing a volcano last Christmas and, fuelled by their thirst for adventure, set out for Columbia.

The Winders, of Tabors Avenue, said that Paul had already back-packed in Asia and Africa, and wanted one last great journey across Central America before settling down.

Six years ago, Paul was cut off by revolutionaries in the Sahara Desert for two months, and that is why his parents did not contact the British Embassy in Panama until May.

Mr Winder said: "We have a strong faith and either way we have put our trust in God and are praying for a miracle.

"I believe we have a reasonable chance of seeing Paul again, although freelance brigands will kill for even the coins in your pocket."

Senior Foreign Office officials and staff at the British Embassy in Bogota have confirmed fears for the safety of the two men.

By Steve Clow

Reporter's e-mail: steve.clow@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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