POLICE have made a fresh appeal for help in tracing a depressed man who went missing from his home without any shoes.

POLICE have made a fresh appeal for help in tracing a depressed man who went missing from his home without any shoes.

Fears are growing for the welfare of Dean Carter, who was last seen by his mother at 10am on Tuesday at the home they shared in Coppice End, Highwoods, in Colchester.

The 34-year-old has been depressed recently and will not have taken his regular medication since his disappearance.

Despite appeals to trace Mr Carter earlier in the week, no-one has reported seeing him and Essex Police have been carrying out ground searches and used the force helicopter to try and find him.

Police said Mr Carter would be bare-footed and dishevelled. It is possible he is somewhere in Highwoods Country Park.

Yesterday his parents Linda and Steven Carter urged the public to keep a look out for their missing son.

Mrs Carter said: "My husband and I are becoming increasingly concerned for Dean's whereabouts.

"We are worried he might be weak and unable to find help.

"I would urge anyone who sees Dean or anyone who matches his description to contact the police."

Mr Carter is 6ft 2ins tall, with very short dark hair, a slight beard and brown eyes.

He was wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans with repaired knees, and a zip-up sweatshirt and may have been carrying a rucksack.

Anyone with information should contact Colchester police on 0300 333 4444.