POLICE have made a fresh appeal for a man who has been missing from Redditch for six months to contact them.

Craig Cripps, aged 32, had been staying with friends in the Batchley area of the town since last July.

He had recently started a new job as a barman at a Birmingham city centre pub, but failed to turn up for work on September 2.

Nothing has been heard of him since he sent an email to a friend on September 4, indicating he had gone to London, where he has previously lived and worked. Police have been unable to locate him despite issuing an appeal shortly after he went missing.

Mr Cripps, who in the past has been known by the surname Saddler, grew up in the Penzance area of Cornwall.

He is described as white, 6ft 2ins tall, of medium build, with brown hair and blue eyes. When he was last seen his hair was shaved. However he has previously worn it long. He usually wears a black cargo jacket. He does not drive and may be using trains or coaches.

Detective Constable Lindsey Hewitt said: "While Mr Cripps has moved around a lot, this is the first time he has gone missing for any length of time, and it is out of character for him.

"We believe he may be in either the London or Cornwall areas, but he is not believed to have taken any money or belongings with him, and there is a possibility he is living rough or working in pubs for cash.

"As the months have gone by with no-one having heard from him, concern has grown for his well-being and we are urging him to contact friends or the police to let us know he is all right.

Mr Cripps, or anyone who knows where he is, are asked to contact DC Hewitt at West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 215-s-090911.