A MASSIVE land and sea search was continuing early this morning for a 15-year-old boy who vanished after a beach party on the Suffolk coast.Rory Unwin Rose had been with friends at Walberswick, near Southwold, but was last seen walking away from the group in the early hours of yesterday wearing only his swimming shorts.

By David Lennard

A MASSIVE land and sea search was continuing early this morning for a 15-year-old boy who vanished after a beach party on the Suffolk coast.

Rory Unwin Rose had been with friends at Walberswick, near Southwold, but was last seen walking away from the group in the early hours of yesterday wearing only his swimming shorts.

He failed to return – leaving behind his clothing and mobile phone – and when friends could not find him police were alerted just before 1pm.

A major operation involving police, coastguards, lifeboat crews and the Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue team was launched – but last night, they could not locate the teenager from Cretingham, near Framlingham.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: "We are still making enquiries. Obviously as time goes on it becomes more concerning."

Chief Inspector Chris Knevett, of Suffolk police, added: "We will continue searching while it is still light and the volunteers from the Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue Team will be here all night.

"We will then reassess the situation at first light tomorrow."

Rory's parents were being comforted at the family home in Cretingham.

Rory, who is believed to be a Woodbridge School pupil, had gone to the party on Wednesday night and was last seen at about 4am yesterday

The search began in the area where Rory was last seen on the beach, close to where a new walkway has been built.

However, during the day and evening the search area was extended but there has been no sign of him.

Enquiries have also been made with all known acquaintances of Rory and police are appealing for the youngster to get in touch, or anyone else who may have seen him, so his family can be reassured he is safe.

The search along the beach area at Walberswick and the River Blyth was expected to continue through the night.

The police helicopter searched along the River Blyth at Walberswick and for several miles inland as far as Wenhaston, near Halesworth, but without success.

Members of the Southwold lifeboat crew also searched along the river and up and down the coast but again there was no trace of Rory.

Kevin Waterson, search manager with the Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue team, said the specialist team would again check the area where Rory was last seen even though it had been searched before.

"We will start at the point where Rory was last seen and then work out from there.

"Our air-scenting dogs will also be used and we intend staying as long as it takes," he said.

Mr Waterson's specialist search team from Suffolk was joined by their colleagues from Essex as the search got underway yesterday evening.

The beach and harbour area was extremely busy all day as hundreds of people took advantage of the fine weather.

Many families enjoying a day beside the sea or river were unaware of the drama going on around them.

Even during the late evening there were scores of people still on the beach or swimming in the sea.

The area where Rory was last seen is close to the site of British Crabbing championships held last weekend.

Many families were enjoying trying to catch the crabs yesterday but the deep dykes around the River Blyth estuary would have provided another hazard for a teenager on his own during the early hours.

Rory is described as about 5ft 9in tall, of average build, with dark curly hair and bushy eyebrows. At the time of his disappearance he was only wearing blue and white striped swimming shorts.

Anyone with information about Rory's disappearance is asked to telephone Suffolk police on 01473 613500.