A FATHER has made a heartfelt appeal to anyone who can help him find his son, who has been missing for five weeks.

Police are involved in a region-wide hunt for 23-year-old Andrew Zachert, who left his home in Billy Row, Weardale, County Durham, without clothes, a phone or a cash card.

His father, David, 51, said: "Every year Andrew leaves Billy Row to find work in catering, but he always lets us know where he is and how he is.

"I am so worried. It has been five weeks and we haven't heard a thing. It's just not like him."

Detective Constable Karl Hopps said that family and friends were concerned about Andrew's safety.

Andrew's friends, who have spoken to the police, said that he seemed very down just before he left, because he wasn't able to find employment.

He is described as 5ft 7in, of thin build, with a fair complexion and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and yellow Adidas tracksuit.

Anyone who has any information is asked to call the police on 0845 6060365 or the National Missing Persons Helpline on free-phone 0500 700700.

Det Con Hopps said: "We are particularly concerned that he has not got any access to money and hasn't taken any clothes with him.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have seen him to contact us."