Fears grew yesterday for 19 Britons missing for three days in the Chinese earthquake region after their relatives failed to hear from them.

The group were travelling by coach from their hotel in Chengdu to Wolong reserve for wild pandas on Monday when the earthquake struck. Another 31 British tourists who were caught in the zone have been located, according to the Chinese Government.

David and Diane Atkins, a retired couple from Portchester, Hampshire, are among those still missing. Their only daughter, Lisa Staples, from Portsmouth, said that her father took blood pressure tablets and she feared for both her parents’ safety without proper facilities in the aftermath of the earthquake. “I am trying really hard to keep busy and not panic. But time is running out for my dad.”

Mr Atkins, 64, a former postmaster, and his 63-year-old wife have travelled around the world since retiring, including visiting India, Thailand, Kenya and Egypt in the past five years. They left Heathrow 11 days ago and are due back on Monday.

The Wolong nature reserve in Wenchuan county, the epicentre of the earthquake, has about 128 pandas, more than half of China’s captive population.

Times Recommends

• Should Knox’s trial even have reached the courtroom?
• 'Was it real?' The US bailout nightmare
• Iranian opposition plays the long game