POLICE are appealing for the North-East public's help to find a man who has been missing for more than a fortnight.

Daniel Palmer, 26, has been missing since Friday, October 19, but there was a confirmed sighting of him in Darlington on Monday.

Now police would like to hear from anyone who has seen him since or knows where he might be.

Mr Palmer, from Blackburn, Lancashire, is described as 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build with recently shaved dark brown hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing a slate-grey zip-up nylon jacket, dark blue jeans, a blue knitted hat and green and brown walking shoes and carrying a blue and black rucksack.

Although he was last seen by his family two weeks ago in Blackburn, an off-duty police officer has since contacted the Lancashire force to say he gave Mr Palmer a lift to a hostel in Tubwell Row, Darlington, on Monday.

Staff confirmed Mr Palmer had been at the hostel but had only stayed for five minutes before leaving with the intention of travelling to the Scarborough, Middlesbrough or Newcastle areas or possibly Scotland.

PC Marc Hutchinson, of Lancashire Police, said: "We are concerned for Daniel as he has not been in contact with his family for more than two weeks and it is completely out of character for him to go missing.

"Daniel may still not yet be aware that his father has recently returned from Cambodia and he is keen to contact him.

"Daniel's mum is really concerned about him and wants him to know that he is not in trouble. She just wants him to return home safe and well."

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 0845-125-35-45.