Robin and Margaret Wilson, from Jordanstown, have been missing since Friday, February 29 when their car was found abandoned at Ballintoy Harbour. The keys were in the ignition and personal belongings were inside.

On Saturday (March 8) around 40 searchers from the Coastguard and volunteer North West Mountain Rescue Team took part in the second major search of the area. They split into two teams and carried out searches of the coast on either side of the pier.

Robin (74) served as a police officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and it is believed his wife Margaret (73) was an office worker. It is understood they do not have any children. The couple regularly visited the north coast beauty spot.

Last week a police diving team, flown in from Cheshire, combed the harbour for clues. A specially trained police dog was also deployed but uncovered nothing.

Francis Clayton, the 88-year-old brother of Margaret Wilson said they were "love birds" and were "inseparable". It is understood that Margaret recently lost a close relative.

Rev Nigel Baylor, Rector at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Jordanstown described the Wilsons as a very private couple.

"When I visited them I was always aware of that sense of privacy that they had," he said. "And of course, as I always do, I prayed with the couple before I left.

"They are a very private couple, a lovely couple. He was a great fan of motorbikes and she was a keen gardener."