POLICE searching for a missing trainee teacher have appealed for the owner of a silver estate car to get in touch.

Nicholas Harper was last seen over a week ago when he left his home address in Pickering, believed to have been heading to his work placement in York but failing to arrive.

His car was later found at Cowhouse Wood, Helmsley, and North Yorkshire Police said that officers were keen to trace the owner of a silver estate car believed to have been parked near where his car was located on the morning he went missing.

A spokesperson said: β€œIt may be that the driver has seen or heard something which may assist with the investigation,” said a spokeswoman, adding that anyone with information should phone 101, quoting reference number 12190023491.

Information about Mr Harper has also been circulated to other forces, including West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Humberside, Durham and Cleveland.

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference number 12190023491.