Mother's plea for son last seen on Hogmanay

• Aileen McPherson with a picture of her youngest son Aidan McPherson who has not been seen since Hogmanay. Picture: PA

Fears are growing for Aidan McPherson, 19, who has been missing since he was last seen by a friend in the Newmill Road area of Elgin late in the evening on New Year's Eve.

Grampian Police divers were yesterday deployed to search the River Lossie, which runs through the Moray town.

Aidan's brothers and sisters have also joined the search and have stuck posters on lamp-posts and shop windows across the area. The family has also launched an appeal on the social networking website Facebook.

Aileen McPherson said the sudden disappearance of her youngest son was out of character. Mrs McPherson, 59, of Meadow Crescent, Elgin, said: "He would have said if there was anything worrying him - and, if he didn't say it to me, he would have said it to one of his brothers. We always know where he is - that's why it's so worrying. There has just been no contact and nobody has seen him."

She added: "I'm just shattered and I feel so helpless. I just stand at the window wishing he would come around the corner."

Aidan's brother, Mark, said: "We're just so worried about him. It's not like him to be away for so long and have no contact. We have been to all the places that he goes to and have spoken to everyone that he knows."

Detective Inspector Paul McCruden, who is leading the search, said: "It is five days since Aidan went missing and we are now well past the point where this could have been a prolonged New Year celebration.

"Given the length of time he has been missing and the cold weather we are becomingly increasingly concerned for his safety.

"It would be out of character for Aidan to go missing and in particular for him not to be in touch with his family."

He added: "The search for Aidan will continue today with a dedicated team of officers, including police divers, focusing on the Elgin area. We will also be distributing posters at key locations throughout Moray in the hope it will jog someone's memory who may have seen Aidan.

"I would urge anyone who may have seen him or for Aidan himself to get in touch to let us know he is okay."

A spokeswoman for Grampian Police said: "Aidan was last seen in the Newmill Road area of Elgin by a friend during the late evening of Friday, 31 December. He is of slight build, 5ft 4in to 5ft 5in tall, with short fair hair. When last seen, he was wearing a green zipped top with blue T-shirt underneath, blue jeans and white trainers.

"We are appealing for Aidan McPherson to contact the force or alternatively a family member to confirm that he is safe and well. Any person who believes they may know his whereabouts is asked to contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous."