Police searching for a missing man on Portland are appealing for help from the public to find him.

Dorset Police received a report at 10.39pm on Thursday raising concern for the welfare of 34-year-old Thomas Gatfield after he was in mobile phone contact with family and friends and seemed very upset.

Thomas is described as white, five feet nine inches tall with short blond hair and tattoos of a sail boat and a skull on his neck. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a black hooded top with ‘Fox’ on the front in gold and black Nike trainers.

Officers have been carrying out extensive searches overnight, assisted by HM Coastguard.

The Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team were called out at 12:45am this morning to help the search. They were stood down at 4am this morning. Dorset Search and Rescue have also been deployed to help.

Coastguards and DorSAR were back out today searched from the north of Church Ope, to Portland Bill. With nothing found the team was stood down at 4pm and returned to station.

Chief Inspector Lindsay Dudfield, of Dorset Police, said: “We are becoming extremely concerned for the welfare of Thomas and I am appealing to anyone who may have information as to his whereabouts to get in touch.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen Thomas, or a man matching the description given, to please contact Dorset Police.

“Finally, if you see this appeal Thomas please contact us or your family so we can ensure you are safe and well.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to where Thomas might be is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 23:554.