Neil Allen: Missing Wimborne man's disappearance 'out of character'

Neil Allen has been missing since Tuesday 13 February

The friend of a man whose disappearance has prompted a major search operation has described him going missing as "very out of character".

Neil Allen, from Wimborne, was last seen on the evening of Tuesday 13 February.

The 41-year-old is described as 5ft 10in (1.78m), with long brown hair and a full beard.

Adam Stirrup said a group of Mr Allen's friends were searching every day and "just want him home".

Mr Allen was last captured on CCTV in a Spar store at about 20:50 GMT

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Mr Stirrup said he and Mr Allen had been friends for many years after meeting through work.

He said: "It's been a horrible time. We have all been very worried and just concerned for his health and wellbeing. His mum is very worried as well and we are all trying to do as much as we can.

"Neil is a genuinely lovely guy - he would do anything for anyone. He is very popular in the town, everyone know him and it's not like him to do this, it's very out of character.

"He would usually, if he wasn't coming home, let his mum know or be in contact with someone to let them know his whereabouts."

Police searches have been supported by Dorset Search and Rescue and Wessex Flood and Water Rescue

Dorset Police said extensive search efforts suggest Mr Allen visited an address in Barnes Crescent prior to going to the Spar store in Gordon Road at about 20:50 GMT, which was captured on CCTV.

Mr Allen was then seen on Leigh Road, near Brook Road, between 21:30 and 22:00.

Mr Stirrup said Mr Allen was due to meet with friends on the evening he went missing, but never showed up.

He added: "As his friends we have searched anywhere we know of, we are even in contact with people abroad and there's a core group of us just working hard on this every day.

"It's just such a big mystery - we really don't know and we are banging our heads against the wall now trying to figure out where he is."

Dorset Police has urged motorists who were in the area, to check any dashcam footage for possible sightings.