THE father of a missing teenager is appealing to people in the region to look out for his son, despite fears he may have been murdered.

Simon Everitt, 17, who moved from Escomb, near Bishop Auckland, to Great Yarmouth with his family four years ago, has not been seen since Saturday, June 7.

That was when he was spotted on a mountain bike near a hospital in the Gorleston area of the Norfolk town.

Police last week launched a murder-style inquiry into his disappearance, but his father, Vince, who was born and brought up in Bishop Auckland, is clinging to the hope that his son is still alive and may have returned to the North-East.

Simon attended Bishop Barrington School and Escomb Primary School, and his father said he could be with friends from the area.

"He's known in that area, and obviously in this situation we have to consider any possibility we can," said 44-year-old Mr Everitt.

"Our message to him is, if he doesn't want to contact members of the family for any reason whatsoever, he can contact one of the newspapers or police, just so we know he is safe."

Simon is about 5ft 6in, slim, with dark hair.

He was wearing a yellow and black jacket, blue jeans and white Gola trainers when he was last seen.

Mr Everitt, The Northern Echo karaoke champion in the Eighties, urged anyone travelling to Great Yarmouth to look out for Simon.

"If they see someone matching the description on a bicycle, take a second look," he said.

"If they think it's even possible that it could be him, please ring the police as soon as possible and let them know."

Three people, two men aged 24 and 19, and one woman, aged 39, were arrested on suspicion of murder.

They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Bruce Guthrie, headteacher at Bishop Barrington School, said: "Our thoughts are with the family.

Everyone at the school would hope he turns up safe and well."

* Mr Everitt has set up a webpage - missingson.wetpaint.com - to help in the search for Simon.