POLICE are trying to trace a teenager who has been missing from home for almost a week.

Fifteen-year-old Alex Richards, from Consett in County Durham, has not been seen since shortly after 8am on Thursday.

He was last seen by a friend in Consett bus station, saying he intended to travel to Newcastle.

There have been no confirmed sightings of him since then and he has not kept in touch with home.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: “It is out of character for Alex to go missing and we are concerned for his welfare.

“Extensive enquiries to find him have drawn a blank. He is known to have links with Newcastle city centre, North Shields, Byker and Wallsend”.

The missing boy is 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build with short light brown hair. He was last seen wearing a red zipped, hooded top and grey Nike trainers.

A police spokesman added: “We would urge Alex to ring home or police so we can be certain he is safe.”

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact Durham Constabulary on 101.