Lewis Penfold-Roche: Search widens for teen missing for three weeks

The volunteers gathered at Billingham's Synthonia Club ahead of the search

Dozens of volunteers have joined a search for a missing teenager who was last seen three weeks ago.

Lewis Penfold-Roche, 18, of Billingham, Teesside, has not been seen since 28 January.

Police are looking for him and people behind a Facebook group dedicated to the search have now turned to the community for extra help.

They described the turnout for the Sunday morning search as "absolutely phenomenal".

Organiser Noosha Laverick said: "I'm in regular contact with the family. I've got a son. I can't imagine what they're going through, so we'll give any help we can."

Mr Penfold-Roche's friend, Jake Ellis Cameron, said he was desperate for information.

"He's such a lovely lad. One of the nicest people you'll ever meet," he said.

Lewis Penfold-Roche was last seen on 28 January

Last week detectives said they had widened a search of woodland near Billingham Beck Valley Country Park towards Billingham Golf Club, which is close to where Mr Penfold-Roche was last seen.

Mr Penfold-Roche, who is described as having a London accent and 6ft (1.83m) tall, was wearing a red coat and carrying a white and green backpack.

Officers said he may be wearing a black jumper with The Nightmare Before Christmas character Jack Skellington on the front, or a black Adidas jumper with white stripes down the sleeves.