THE FATHER of a 27-year-old missing for almost six weeks last night said he still hoped his son might “walk back through the door”.

THE father of a 27-year-old man who has been missing for almost six weeks last night said he still hoped his son might “just walk back through the door.”

Anthony Stammers, known as Ant, was last seen by his mother on the morning of May 27 when he left the family home in Mile End Road, Colchester.

Even though police have carried out extensive searches, no trace of him has been found.

But his father Robert continues to hope he will get in touch. “We visit places we think he might be – we are constantly searching for him,” he said.

“The police have been fantastic. They have done everything they can to try and find Anthony and they continue to do so.

“Every waking moment it is on our mind – it has put a great strain on us all but we will not give up hope and the search will go on.”

Mr Stammers believes the death of his father, Arthur, deeply affected his son. The family were due to attend the funeral the day after he was last seen.

“Anthony and I were at my father’s bedside when he died,” Mr Stammers said. “He was close to my dad – he would visit a lot.

“Going through something like that is obviously very hard. You can never tell exactly what is going on in someone’s head and how they are coping.”

Appealing directly to his son, Mr Stammers said: “Just make contact – any contact. If you are not ready to come home that is fine but just a sign that you are OK would mean the world to us.”

Ant is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build has short, dark-brown hair. He was clean-shaven but may have a beard by now. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue-and-red checked shirt, was carrying a black satchel and may have been wearing a black New York Yankees baseball cap and beige jacket.

After he went missing police carried out searches of various areas in and around Mile End and the Colchester town area, including the Avenue of Remembrance. Dog handlers assisted officers from the force’s air support unit but the search drew blank.

Anyone with information on Mr Stammers’ whereabouts is urged to contact Colchester police on 101.