A DISTRAUGHT mother of a missing young man, who was last seen in Worcestershire, has made a heartfelt plea for him to make contact.

Karen Bone is also appealing for information on her son Matthew's whereabouts.

He was last seen leaving Stanbrook Abbey in Callow End on the morning of Friday (March 9).

The family still believe Matthew, known as Matt, is still in the county.

The 56-year-old project manager said: "It is very hard not knowing what has happened - they call it ‘ambiguous loss’ - where you lose someone but you don’t know what happened to them.

"It is a horrible thing to cope with - for the whole family."

"The reason we think that he is in Worcestershire is that it seems to be a rural area.

"If he had planned to disappear, going somewhere remote would be an option. It is a tenuous link.

"He loved being close to nature - it seems to fit the bill. He enjoy being outside with nature and he had a keen interest in the environment."

His sister 25-year-old Katie, is said to be "struggling" with the loss of her older brother.

Mrs Bone, of Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, said: "She has found it really difficult because they were quite close - she is struggling."

When asked what she would say to Matthew, if he saw the appeal, she said: "I would say please get in touch with a family friend or Missing People - just let us know that you are safe."

Matthew is described as white, 5ft 7in, slim and brown hair with blue and grey eyes.

Katie and Karen, along with Matthew's father Mike, aged 61, a lecturer at Portsmouth University, have been appealing for information on social media site Facebook.

Anyone with information can contact Missing People anonymously by calling 116 000, or by emailing 116000@missingpeople.org.uk or contact the police on 101.

Search 'Missing Matt Bone' on Facebook or see: facebook.com/missingmattbone for a page setup by Katie.