River search for missing Bath Spa University student

James Bubear was last seen on Sunday night

Police divers have been searching the River Avon in Bath following the disappearance of a city student.

Bath Spa University student James Bubear, 19, had been out with friends at the Revolution bar in George Street on Sunday night.

Mr Bubear, from Llandrindod Wells in Powys, was last seen leaving the venue at 2230 GMT and walking off alone.

A police spokesman said the disappearance of the first-year student was "completely out of character".

The Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the 19-year-old, who is studying media and creative writing, had not had any contact with his friends or family since then and had not been back to his student flat in Lower Bristol Road.

Mr Bubear's friends and staff at Bath Spa University have been using social networking websites Facebook and Twitter to highlight his disappearance.

It is thought Mr Bubear might have taken a route home along the river

On Tuesday, police appealed to a member of the public who had found Mr Bubear's mobile phone. It has since been handed in by a street cleaner.

It is thought Mr Bubear might have taken a route home along the river.

His father Andre Bubear, who lives in France, said: "[The police] have been very good, they have kept us informed, they have found CCTV footage and now they are looking at other cameras to see what they can find.

"He's just an ordinary lad who has gone to university, found himself in an environment he loves.

"He is spreading his wings for the first time in his life and finding himself."

James Bubear is described as white, 6ft 2in tall, skinny, with mousey brown hair.

He was last seen wearing jeans, a black or navy blue jacket, and a white shirt with a 1970s-style collar and large cuffs.

Anyone who has seen him, or knows where he is, is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police.