Some people have Jeffrey dead and buried already

Beryl Hodgson

They say that if their son, who is also an epileptic, was an eight-year-old child, an intensive search would still be going on across the Spanish holiday island.

Mr Hodgson is believed to have gone missing as his parents, Derek and Beryl, checked into a hotel on the island.

Mrs Hodgson, 60, told BBC News Online: "We have asked the Foreign Office for funding so we can travel to Ibiza to hunt for Jeffrey, but they turned us down.

"And the authorities have turned down our request for funding to bring over specialist dogs to look for him.

'Family isolated'

"We feel totally isolated - we have no contact with anyone at the Foreign Office during weekends.

"There have been some very callous remarks made to us.

"One official told us, not long after Jeffrey went missing, that we shouldn't worry because the Ibizan hunting season would be starting in the autumn and there would be lots of dogs out then.

"I told them I wasn't prepared to just sit there for weeks doing nothing - even if they aren't going to do any more we are still going to try and find Jeffrey."

Mr Hodgson vanished in Cala Llonga resort

Flyers showing Jeffrey's passport photograph have been circulated around the island, and the story publicised in the Spanish media, but there have been no sightings.

The couple return to Ibiza on 8 October to resume their search but say their life savings are nearly all gone.

A Foreign Office spokesman said it hoped Jeffrey would soon be found.

"The role of our missions overseas does not include undertaking investigations - that is a role for the local police," he went on.

"Our role in this case is liaison between the family and the local authorities.

'Spanish responsibility'

"Many British citizens of all ages are reported missing overseas each year. As in the UK, searches for missing persons are the responsibility of the local authorities.

"We are unable to afford financial assistance in every case, as it would be immensely costly."

An intensive search for Jeffrey was undertaken within three days of his disappearance, with the use of special teams from Spain and the United Kingdom.

The spokesman said: "Our consular staff have assisted Jeffrey's family as much as possible and continue to do so."

Mr Hodgson vanished from the reception area of the Sirenis Playa Hotel in the Cala Llonga resort while his parents checked in.

There were a couple of positive sightings of him that evening but nothing since.

No medication

A few days later the police used a helicopter, army troops and a sniffer dog for a short while but found nothing.

However large sections of the holiday island remain unsearched.

There are fears for Jeffrey's safety as he does not have any medication with him.

But Mrs Hodgson said: "Some people have him dead and buried already. But he hasn't been found lying anywhere.

"We have to feel positive that he is alive and well, and waiting to be found."