Police have issued an urgent appeal to a man to get in touch with his family after he left his home leaving a note which 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 last few years living and working away from the area, but returns to his parents home in Gray Avenue for special occasions and has returned home for Christmas on December 18.

In recent days, Mr Burn has revealed to his family he is considering quitting his college course and had arranged a job interview with utilities company npower for Monday.

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

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary 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 described as being white, 6ft 3 tall, slim and with brown eyes. When last seen he was wearing a cream jumper and blue jeans.

Officers are also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the missing man's red three-door Renault Clio, registration N427MTN.

Anyone with information is asked to ring police on 0845 6060365.