THE family of a missing 24-year-old Bournemouth man has appealed for him or anyone who has seen him to get in touch amid growing concern.

Ryan Carney has not been seen since about 12 noon on Thursday May 5, when he left work to buy a birthday card for his grandfather. He did not return to his office at the Town Hall or to his flat in Boscombe.

His family has heard nothing from him since early Thursday afternoon, when he sent his mother a text message telling her he loved her.

His mobile phone has been switched off.

Ryan's sister Hayley, 23, described him as "very bubbly, happy and very caring".

She added: "He was meant to be going to a surprise 70th birthday party for our granddad. At 12.30pm he spoke to Mum to arrange picking up. Not to go to that is completely out of character.

"We're a bit stunned. We don't know what to do and we don't know where to look. He's utterly devoted to my mum and normally texts her six or seven times a day. It's not like him not to contact us at all."

PC Phil Prentice said: "I'm concerned for Ryan's welfare. This behaviour is totally out of character and I know he's been under some stress and depressed after the break-up of a relationship.

"Ryan is well known in Bournemouth and frequents the Triangle area of the town centre. It's important that anyone who knows of his whereabouts contacts us as we need to make sure he's safe and well.

"I'm also appealing to Ryan himself to contact the police or his parents' home to let us know he's all right. His mother is understandably very worried."

Ryan is about 5ft 9ins tall with short, dark brown hair and two facial moles, one on his right cheek and another on his chin. He has a tanned complexion and was wearing rectangular brown-framed glasses, a blue and white striped shirt, smart dark trousers and dark leather shoes.

Contact the police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

First published: May 7