POLICE have appealed for a man to contact his family after he left his home leaving a note that gave cause for concern.

College student Stephen Burn left his parents' home in Hesleden, near Peterlee, in County Durham, on Wednesday morning and has not been seen since.

His family are growing increasingly concerned and have appealed for the 24-year-old to get in touch.

Mr Burn, who studies at a college in Lincoln, has spent most of the past few years living and working away from the area, but returns to his parents' home in Gray Avenue for special occasions. He returned home for Christmas on December 18.

Mr Burn said he was considering leaving his college course and had arranged a job interview with utilities company npower last Monday.

Mr Burn has worked at pubs and clubs in the Hartlepool area, and police are investigating the possibility he may be staying with friends on Teesside.

A police spokesman said: "Police are asking him to get in touch with his parents because, after he left his house on Wednesday morning, they subsequently discovered a note he had left, the contents of which gave them cause for concern."

Mr Burn is white, 6ft 3in, slim and has brown eyes.

When last seen, he was wearing a cream jumper and blue jeans.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen his red three-door Renault Clio, registration N427MTN.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 606 0365.