A FACEBOOK page has been set up by friends of a Scottish botanist who went missing in the Vietnamese jungle while plant hunting.

Searches hit by heavy snow were due to resume for Jamie Taggart, from Argyll and Bute, who did not return from a trip to the northern mountainous region.

The 41-year-old has not been seen since October 31. His rucksack and passport were found at a guest house in the town of Sapa.

Two groups will search for the next four days on four different trails inside the forest of Lai Chau and Lao Cai forest.

Mr Taggart runs Linn Botanic Gardens in Cove on the Rosneath peninsula and serves as a retained firefighter. The community has issued an appeal for funds to help cover the cost of the search, currently over £3000.

The Facebook search group had 58 members by yesterday.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said staff are in close contact with the local authorities and "are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time".