A MAN abandoned as a baby at an airport 19 years ago is making a public appeal for his parents to come forward.

Steve Hydes, dubbed "Gatwick Gary" by the media when he turned up at the Sussex airport's South Terminal, does not even know what country he comes from.

Steve, who was adopted by John and Sandra Hydes, of Littlehampton, returned to the airport on Thursday to film an emotional appeal for information about his natural parents and meet the woman who found him, retired shop worker Beryl Wright of Wolverton Gardens, Horley.

He said: "There is a possibility they came in from abroad, I just don't know. I'm hoping somebody will see the appeal and ring in with some information.

"Before doing this I wrote to the National Organisation for the Counselling of Adoptees and Parents.

"It's a register where you put your side of the story and your parents put their side. If there's a link you can contact each other.

"A lot of people told me to go public instead because it is going to be very hard to find them.

"I am fine with it going out on television and my mum and dad have been really supportive.

"They're right behind me because they expected me to want to find out about my parents one day. They know why I am doing it."

Mrs Wright still remembers April 10, 1986, the day she found Steve.

She said: "I used to walk to work in those days and there was a toilet under the South Terminal. I went in and there was a blanket on the floor.

"I know I wasn't supposed to but I had a look and there was a baby in there. I went upstairs to find someone from the airport or the police but there wasn't anybody so I took him to the British Caledonian desk.

"He was wrapped up in a white, yellow and blue blanket and I could see he had been fed and looked after well, he was sleeping away.

"He was such a gorgeous little boy I knew there had to be a good reason why he was left there. I've often wondered why he was left and how he's been getting on."

She said as a baby Steve had been blond so she had been surprised to see him with dark hair. They have exchanged addresses and plan to keep in touch.

l If you can help Mr Hydes trace his parents call The Argus on 01273 544520.