A FAMILY have issued a heartbreaking appeal in a bid to trace a father who has been missing for 17 weeks.

Paul Kerrison went missing when he became separated from his friend after a night out on Saturday, October 25.

Cleveland Police has carried out one of its largest manhunts, using the force helicopter, sniffer dogs, specialist diving teams and members of the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team, to no avail.

Mr Kerrison, who lived in Eston, near Middlesbrough, was believed to have been last seen in the area of Birkdale Road, New Marske, east Cleveland, and there has been no trace of him since.

His sister, Georgina, struggled to contain her emotions as she pleaded for information about the whereabouts of the 30-year-old, who requires daily medication to treat his epilepsy.

Sitting alongside family members and acting detective sergeant Mark Earl at a press conference, she said: “The last 17 weeks has been torturous for us.

"It is difficult to carry on with normal daily life and we are all struggling with not knowing if he is safe and well.

“Paul suffers from epilepsy which only adds to our concerns for his safety.

"Since he went missing there have been a number of appeals through local media, a national missing person’s charity, social media and a leaflet drop to every house in New Marske.

“The police have conducted large-scale searches in the area where he was last seen.

“We are touched by the responses we have had from well-wishers and would like to thank those people who have taken the time to contact Cleveland Police with possible sightings of Paul since his disappearance.

“Sadly, none of this has led to finding him and getting him home to us.

“Paul is a loving brother and son, he is partner to Sarah and doting dad to their five-year-old son Kieren.

"We all miss him, we are all worried about him and we all want him home with us.

“He is very outgoing and friendly, he’s the sort of person who would stop and talk to anyone.”

Mr Kerrigan is about 6ft 4ins tall, medium build and has short brown hair.

When he went missing he was wearing a black Reebok tracksuit and black Nike training shoes.

Acting det sgt Earl said: “This is one of the biggest searches the force has ever been involved in.

"There has been great feedback from the community with plenty of reported sightings, however, unfortunately these have not resulted in finding Paul.

“We would urge anyone who thinks they may have seen him to come forward with any information regardless of how insignificant they may feel it is."

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr Kerrison should call Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.