Fears are growing today for the safety of a teenage boy missing since Tuesday.

Ryan Clout, 15, disappeared from a house in Greenhill, near Herne Bay, shortly after 5pm.

It’s believed the vulnerable teen – who has trouble communicating and often avoids physical contact – could be in the Old Park area of Canterbury.

He is 5ft 4ins tall, of slim build and has blue eyes and mousey blond hair.

He was last seen wearing a black and grey hoodie, black Umbro tracksuit bottoms and black trainers. He is likely to be wearing his hood up, covering most of his face.

Leading the search, Det Sgt Helen Bland said police were growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

She said: “We are treating Ryan as a vulnerable missing person and we want to find him as soon as possible.

“Although he went missing from Greenhill we believe he may be in the Old Park area of Canterbury and I urge anyone who believes they may have seen Ryan to contact us.”

Anyone who knows where Ryan is should call police on 101, quoting reference number KP-20120424-1013, or the Missing People organisation in confidence on 0500 700700.