POLICE are concerned for a missing prison officer who disappeared from his North-East home on Friday.

They appealed for 35-year-old Anthony Lawrence Nicholson, who works at Durham Prison, to let them know he is safe.

Mr Nicholson, who has been suffering from depression, was last seen at his mother's home, where he also lives, in Hawthorne Road, Ferryhill, County Durham.

He left at about 5.30pm on Friday, saying he was going to see a friend in Spennymoor, but never arrived. There have been no reported sightings of him since.

Sergeant Nadim Khaliq, of Spennymoor police, said: "We are very concerned for his well being and would urge him to make contact with police so we know he is safe and well."

Mr Nicholson is of medium build and clean shaven with short, straight dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

When last seen, he was wearing a white V-necked T- shirt, dark blue jeans, a black fleece coat and black shoes.

Spennymoor police can be contacted on 0845 6060365.