'We just want him home': Mum of missing teen makes plea

The mother of a teenager missing from near Wigan says she is "desperately worried" and just wants her son home.

Tom Dingle, 19, from Appley Bridge, west Lancashire, was last seen at Stonemill Rise at about 00:30 GMT on Saturday, and police think he may have then headed to the Appley Lane North area.

"We just want him home safe as soon as possible," his mother, Susan Dingle, told BBC Radio Manchester. "We've even put a note on the front door so he knows he can just walk in. We're just here to love and protect him. That's all."

Lancaster student Mr Dingle is 5ft 11in, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black Vans hoodie, black jeans, black Doc Martin shoes and carrying a backpack.

He had been staying at his family home in Appley Bridge prior to his disappearance, but the 19-year-old also has connections to Lancaster, where he is at university.

Ms Dingle, 56, said the family was especially worried because Mr Dingle was "in a vulnerable state of mind" following a bereavement.

"We're worried about his state of mind," Ms Dingle said. "He's grieving very, very much."

Ms Dingle said the impact of her son's disappearance on the family was "indescribable".

"My husband Peter and I, and Tom's older brother Jack, are going out of our minds with worry that something might have happened to him," she said.

"We just want him home, where he's safe. It's cold out at night and it's wet - and we don't know if he's seeking shelter anywhere."

Ms Dingle told BBC Radio Manchester she wanted her son to know he was not in trouble.

"We're worried that he thinks that he's going to be in some kind of trouble because of all the distress and worry of him not being home."

She added: "He needs to understand that we are not in any way angry.

"We just want him home, we just love him so much, and we miss him desperately.

"There's so many people he wouldn't believe that are desperately worried about him, all his family."

Police inquiries "are very much ongoing," Lancashire Police said.

A spokesperson said officers would be seen in the Appley Bridge area.

"If you have seen Tom or have any information that could help us find him please feel free to approach them as they carry out their duties," they said, adding people could also call 999.

Officers are also appealing for any CCTV or dashcam footage of Stonemill Rise and Appley Lane North area from 00:30 on Saturday, asking people to call 101.

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