MYSTERY continues to surround the disappearance of missing Norfolk teenager Simon Everitt after police confirmed today they were still treating the incident as a murder inquiry but would not reveal why.

MYSTERY continues to surround the disappearance of missing Norfolk teenager Simon Everitt after police confirmed today they were still treating the incident as a murder inquiry but would not reveal why.

The 17-year-old was last seen in Gorleston on June 7 and his desperate family have had no contact with the Yarmouth College engineering student since then.

Detectives launched a murder inquiry after officers received a telephone tip off concerning Simon's disappearance.

However the teenager's father Vince Everitt, 44, from Yarmouth, is convinced his son is still alive and may have run away to the North East.

Despite Mr Everitt's strong belief that his son has only run away police said they are still carrying on with their murder inquiry but would not reveal the reasons why.

A Norfolk constabulary spokesman said: “The investigation is still being treated as a suspected murder and a full major investigation team at Yarmouth continues to work on the inquiry.

“We have had no contact from Simon and we would like to re-appeal for help from any person who has seen or had any contact with him since the evening of Saturday, June 7 to contact us.”

Simon, who had recently moved into a seaside bedsit, was last seen on a mountain bike near the James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston, with another male at 11pm.

Mr Everitt has also set up an on-line appeal - www.missingson.wetpaint.com - so anyone who knows about his son's location can contact him.

Anyone with information on Simon's disappearance should contact the major investigation team on 0845 4564567.