THE family of missing student Steve Cook have joined forces with the Michael Shields campaign in a bid to bring both men back home.

The Cook and Shields families have been supporting each other throughout their ordeals after they made contact through mutual friends at Liverpool Football Club.

Although their situations are different in many respects, Steve's brother Chris, of Chillingham Close, Middlewich, said they feel a common pain of helplessness, distance and separation.

Sandbach student Steve, aged 21, went missing in Malia, Crete, last September as he was holidaying with friends.

Fellow Liverpool supporter Michael Shields, 19, is currently serving 10 years in a Bulgarian jail after being convicted of attempted murder - a crime he insists he did not commit.

The Shields family, whose campaign is supported by a host of celebrities and senior politicians, have been fully supportive of the search for Steve and were guests at a campaign auction night.

A replica European Cup has been placed in both men's bedrooms as a symbol of their fight against the odds. Chris said: "Although there are many differences there is a bond there with the difficulty of both being abroad.

"Both events happened so soon after the greatest night of their lives - the Champions League Final.

"We don't have regular dialogue but when there are events we help each other in every way we can.

"As families we share a common pain of helplessness, distance, and separation.

"Ever since Steve went missing Michael's family have been extremely supportive despite having their own fight for justice.

"We all hope and pray for the day that both of these young lads will have the chance to see their trophies - a symbol of that night in Istanbul when the odds were overcome and, to quote Steve, at a night where we had to 'believe, believe'. We believe, and both Steve and Michael do not walk alone."