Police searching for a couple who vanished on a house-hunting trip in Spain are investigating the withdrawal of a large amount of money, two days before they were due to return home.

Welsh and Spanish police searching for Anthony and Linda O'Malley from Llangollen, north Wales, are focusing their inquiries on the transaction - said to be enough cash to buy a house.

Jenny Stewart spoke to her mother on the phone

The money was taken from the account of the couple, who live in Westbourne Terrace, shortly before they were due to return home.

Relatives - who alerted police - held an appeal to help trace the couple and North Wales Police are due to Detective Inspector Nick Crabtree revealed that "out-of-character" spending on the couple's credit cards was also being looked at.

"They had planned for some time to purchase property in Spain," he said.

"On 11 September, a large amount of cash was withdrawn from their bank account and further spending on their credit cards gives a cause for concern.

"I'm concerned about their whereabouts and I'm asking for the co-operation of holiday makers who may have met them," he added.

The O'Malleys, who had been married for 15 years, had flown to the resort of Malaga on 30 August for two weeks, but they did not board their scheduled flight home.

They were a very close couple - very quiet and very devoted to each other

Bernard O'Malley

It is known they had been looking at properties in several towns and cities, including Valencia.

No-one has heard from them since 4 September, when 55-year-old Mrs O'Malley telephoned her daughter.

"She just said that they had been looking at a couple of properties," she said.

"They had seen some things but were still looking and that everything was fine and that she would phone again before they came home."

Police in north Wales are liaising with Interpol as well as officers in Spain.

Car dealer, Mr O'Malley, 42, and his wife were travelling in a blue Fiat Stylo car which they hired at Malaga Airport.

The vehicle, registration number 8588 BTP, was due to be returned on 12 September. There has been no trace of it.

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

Pets had been tagged for travel in Spain

Anthony O'Malley's brother Bernard, described the missing couple as "very quiet and very devoted to each other".

"They just got on with life. They were very family-orientated - Linda especially," he said.

"She has a close relationship with her daughters and her sister."

Anyone with any information should call the police on 0845 6071002.