A MOTHER has issued a fresh plea for information about her missing son on his 27th birthday. Darren Carley disappeared after a row over a late-night telephone call in 2002 and has not been seen since.

He lived at home with his parents, Barbara and George, but had recently split up with his girlfriend.

He disappeared from their Lyndhurst Avenue home in Park North without his wallet or house keys, but recent unconfirmed sightings in Weston-super-Mare have given his mother fresh hope he will return in time for a belated birthday reunion.

Mrs Carley, 67, said: "He just stormed off after we had a tiff over the phone. I am sure there is more to it than we know about because it is just not him to disappear he's a mummy's boy.

"I don't feel he is dead, but what he is into God only knows. He didn't drink, smoke or do drugs, but he is very easily led."

Mrs Carley is fully occupied looking after her 86-year-old husband who has suffered five strokes two since Darren disappeared. Darren has three older brothers and three older sisters.

She added: "I just desperately need to hear his voice just so that I know he is OK whatever he has done since he left home he is still my son and I love him desperately. He doesn't know anything that has gone on there have been family weddings and babies being born.

"There is not a day goes by that I don't think about it. At night my mind just goes haywire everyone misses him so much, but I am sure he is in the west country."

Darren is 5ft 6in, slim, and had short brown hair with a centre parting and brown eyes.

Anyone who knows where Darren is should call the confidential National Missing Persons helpline on 0500 700700.

Swindon police currently have six missing persons outstanding, but say these are not cases causing them any undue concern. Insp David McMullin said in most cases a missing person is someone that deliberately does not want to be found.

He said: "When someone is reported missing we record their details and assess the vulnerability of that person.

"We are immediately concerned if we are dealing with a vulnerable adult, elderly or mentally ill person and juveniles under the age of 17.

"We then make a risk assessment and speak to the person who reported them missing to try and build a history of any incidents or scenarios that might have resulted in that person going missing.

" It may be they have gone missing because of an argument.

"Our initial inquiries are the most vital because it enables us to build a picture, but if someone is determined not to be found we will find it very difficult to locate them."

Last week, the Advertiser issued an appeal for information on runaway teenager Joanna Ludlow who was eventually found at a Swindon house after a reader tipped off police.

Giles Sheldrick