Police today expressed concern about the well-being of a teenager who disappeared in severe weather conditions after a Christmas party on Friday night.

Brian Slater, 19, was wearing just jeans and a shirt when he was caught in bitter cold and heavy snow showers as he made his way home early on Saturday after a night out with friends and colleagues.

Search and rescue teams were out today looking for Mr Slater, who lives with his parents in Esher Place, Cramlington, Northumberland.

Mr Slater, who works at the Mattinson bedroom furniture factory on the town's Bassington Industrial Estate, had been out in Blyth and parted company with his friends at 9.30pm on Friday.

At 3.30am on Saturday he contacted his family on his mobile phone from the nearby village of Newsham, saying he had been unable to get a taxi and would walk back.

Since then there has been no trace of the teenager, who is 5ft 10ins tall, slim, with dark brown cropped hair, and was last seen wearing a blue shirt, black jeans and black shoes.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We are particularly concerned as Friday night's bitter cold was followed by heavy snow showers on Saturday."