A MISSING footballer is being urged to make contact with loved ones as an investigation continues into his whereabouts.

Police, friends and family are extremely concerned for the welfare of 35-year-old James Dean, who was last seen at midnight on May 5.

Officers in East Lancashire say Mr Dean, from Oswaldtwistle, who also has links to Accrington, Blackburn and Burnley, was last seen in the Orchard Drive area of the town.

Today (Saturday 8) friends, family and strangers have met at the Brave Church in Oswaldtwistle to form a search party in a bid to find Mr Dean.

A post on Facebook reads: “The church will be open all day for people to come share information, bounce ideas off, organise locations of where to go!

“Come on everyone big push now! He’s going to be tired hungry and freezing! He has no coat, no money, no phone! He needs our help! His children need our help to bring him back to them!”

Further desperate pleas have also been published on social media in the hope that Mr Dean will see them.

Posters with Mr Dean’s photograph are also being widely shared with the words: “James, if you see this please we all miss and love you so much. Your boys need you, you have nothing to be afraid of we can help.”

When he was last seen, Mr Dean was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a black tracksuit top.

James, is white, 6ft 2ins, of a very slim build and has a shaved head.

He also has tattoos.

Temp Insp Andy Green, of Lancashire Police, said: "We are launching a renewed appeal for information to help find James.

"His disappearance is very worrying and we have serious concerns for his welfare. Everyday which passes without finding him causes greater distress for his friends and family. It is vital we find him as soon as possible.

"If you have any information which can help us, please come forward. Furthermore, if you see James, or a man matching his description, call police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0309 of May 6, 2021 or report it online via Home - Lancashire Constabulary - Report Online. For immediate sightings call 999.

James, who played for Chorley and FC Halifax Town has enjoyed a prolific career playing for some of the biggest non-League clubs and had several promotions on his resume.

The 6`3” forward can also list Bury, Altrincham, Harrogate Town, FC Halifax Town, Warrington Town, Ashton United, AFC Fylde and Stalybridge Celtic among his other former clubs.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0309 of May 6 or report it online via Home - Lancashire Constabulary - Report Online.

For immediate sightings call 999.