THE mother of missing Portchester hiker Jeffery Moore said her spirits had been lifted after a reported double sighting of her son.

Marion Moore said she had felt a glimmer of hope that her son could still be alive after he was spotted by two different people at the Austrian village of Sillian, 30 miles from where he disappeared more than a month ago.

It adds weight to the theory that Mr Moore may have hit his head while hiking and become disorientated.

The possible sightings are now being followed up by Austrian police, who will interview the witnesses.

Speaking from her Portchester home Mrs Moore said: "Although neither sighting has been confirmed it is encouraging to hear this sort of news.

"Apparently one of the sightings was by a local police chief although that was three weeks ago. We aren't getting carried away with this but it is something positive and has lifted our spirits."

Mr Moore, 37, was on holiday in Austria with his fiance Marilyn Burt when he went missing after setting off for a hike on August 25.

As a keen and accomplished hiker, Mr Moore was attempting the route at the mountain resort of Heiligenblut on his own.

When he did not return Ms Burt raised the alarm but a mountain search-and-rescue team failed to find him.

Last month friends and family of Mr Moore travelled to Austria to launch an appeal for information that could help find the experienced climber.

During their week-long trip 2,500 posters and leaflets bearing Mr Moore's picture were distributed around surrounding villages in several different languages.

Mrs Moore said: "The posters do seem to be helping if people are recognising him from the picture.

"We just hope we get some more good news soon."