A DESPERATE family are appealing for help in tracing a vulnerable young father who went missing from their Worth Matravers home nearly a week ago.

Former public school boy Matthew Drew, 32, suffers schizophrenia brought on, his mother believes, after using LSD as a teenager.

Matthew has not been seen since 10pm on Thursday August 13, despite searches of the village and nearby cliffs, caves and quarries by police, coastguards and Swanage lifeboat volunteers.

His mother Kathy, who runs the Craft Centre at Worth Matravers, said: "He has gone missing before but this time he has not taken any of his precious items with him, like his Bible, his dog or guitar, and he has not got his medication with him."

She also said: "He is not a danger to anyone but there is concern for what he might do to himself."

Matthew moved to his parents' home in Purbeck about a fortnight ago after the break-up of his marriage, mainly caused by his illness. His distraught wife Natasha and one-year-old son Joshua have come to Purbeck to wait for any news.

Matthew was wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and sandals when he was last seen. His parents thought he had gone out to sleep in his van parked outside their home but it is not known whether or not he spent the night there.

Matthew is described as 6ft 2in tall, with short dark brown hair and a beard. He has tattoos on both arms - the one on his right arm being a cross with the word "truth" in it.

Sgt Jon Bleasdale of Swanage police said: "My appeal to Matthew is for him to contact his family as soon as possible because his wife and parents are extremely worried about him and just want to know that he is alive and well." Anyone who sees Mr Drew should call Dorset Police in confidence by dialling 999 while anyone with information about his whereabouts since he went missing should call police on 01202 222222.

First published: August 19