Birthday appeal to trace Ciaron Nuttall

Missing - Ciaron Nuttall

Police are making a fresh appeal to trace Ciaron Nuttall ahead of his 21st birthday.

The birthday milestone is this Sunday, 14 October 2012.

Ciaron was last seen in the Royton area on 5 March 2011 and was reported missing five days later when he failed to return home.

Since he went missing Ciaron has not accessed his bank accounts, his phone or any social network accounts, which is out of character.

His grandmother has also died and been laid to rest - with Ciaron's sister Jade who died previously aged 6 months old - since he went missing.

Prior to his disappearance Ciaron was a regular visitor to his grandparents and a hand written letter has been left for him by Margaret - his grandmother - in a sealed envelope.

There has been no significant breakthrough in the search to find Ciaron or to establish what may have happened to him.

Police have received various reported sightings of him from members of the public but his last confirmed and official sighting remains 5 March 2011.

Ciaron is white, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build with short brown hair and has links to Oldham and Rochdale and family members in Wigan.

Senior Investigating Officer Andy Tattersall, said: "I have not been able to deliver one piece of good news to Ciaron's family since he went missing and I am once again appealing for anyone with any information about his whereabouts to get in touch.

"They have suffered 18 months of heartache not knowing where he is or what has happened to him and are now set to mark this milestone birthday without him.

"They are desperate for any news, regardless of how insignificant or perhaps bad that news might be, and it is only right that those with that information contact the police.

"I also want to make a direct appeal to Ciaron, if you are reading or listening to this appeal, to pick up a phone and ring your family, the police or a friend and let us know you are ok. All your family want is word that you are well and I would urge you to give them that piece of mind."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 2446, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.