The family of a north Wales couple missing in Spain for nearly three weeks have flown out to assist a police search.

Anthony and Linda O'Malley, originally from Liverpool, had been property-hunting along the Costa del Sol, but they have not been seen since 12 September.

The couple live in Llangollen

Mrs O'Malley's daughter, Nicola Welch, and Mr O'Malley's brother Bernard, are due to fly to Alicante at 1900 BST on Tuesday.

They hope to be able to work with Spanish police and come up with some ideas to throw some light on the mystery.

The Guardia Civil says it is treating the O'Malley's disappearance "seriously" and added an ongoing investigation to trace the couple was taking place.

North Wales Police have said they are waiting for a decision from their colleagues in Spain before deploying officers to the region.

Cash withdrawn

Despite appeals in Spain and the UK there has been no significant breakthrough in the case.

The couple had flown from the UK for a two week house-hunting holiday.

A large amount of money was taken from their bank accounts shortly before they disappeared and their hire car has not been returned.

Mr and Mrs O'Malley last spoke to relatives in north Wales on 4 September.

An estate agent in Benidorm was the last person to see the pair on 12 September shortly before they were due to return to Denbighshire.

The couple's pets had been tagged for travel

Mrs O'Malley, 55, was due to fly home on 13 September, while her 42-year-old husband - a self-employed car salesman - had planned to stay behind to view a house at nearby Villajoyosa on 17 September.

But neither of them arrived to meet the estate agent.

The couple were interested in viewing a small �20,000 house five miles south of the city.

What police describe as "out-of-character" credit card transactions across southern Spain are also being investigated.

The hire car used - a blue Fiat Stilo, registration number 8588 BTP - is also missing.

The couple - who had their two dogs tagged in readiness for their move - are known to have visited Malaga, Benidorm and Valencia.