Two detectives from Scotland Yard arrived in the former Soviet republic of Georgia on Tuesday to help in the search for a kidnapped businessman from south Wales.

Peter Shaw, 57, from Cowbridge, was abducted near his home in the capital Tbilisi on 18 June.

He was taken just hours before he was due to return to the UK at the end of a six-year contract working with an agricultural bank.

So far there has been no word from his kidnappers, who some officials believe are separatists from neighbouring Chechnya.

Facts: Peter Shaw

Originally from Maesteg Home in Cowbridge Worked on EU project in Georgia Previously a Midland Bank manager Kidnapped on 18 June

Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze has pledged 15,000 lari, or �5,000, reward for information about his whereabouts.

Mr Shaw was working as a project director for Abgrobiznesbank under the Tacis development programme sponsored by the European Union (EU).

He had previous experience in Eastern Europe before taking up the post in Tbilisi in 1996.

EU commissioner Chris Patten has urged the Georgian government to step up efforts to trace his abductors.

Street shoot-out

An armed group dressed in fake security uniform demanded Mr Shaw follow their car, but genuine police officers turned up as he began to resist their moves.

But then, a third car carrying men in camouflage pulled up and opened fire on the officers with automatic weapons, leaving the gang to snatch the key businessman off the street.

President Shevardnadze has demanded swift action

It is the latest in a series of kidnappings of foreign nationals in Georgia.

The Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor General's Office are investigating the case, while the Security Ministry is providing investigators with intelligence.

A Georgian news agency reported on Tuesday that police had found two vehicles used by the kidnappers and Mr Shaw's own car.

But no contact had been made with the culprits, and no demands had been received.

However, Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili was quoted as saying the police had leads which were being "thoroughly investigated".