POLICE in Cheshire have made a nationwide appeal for help to locate a boy of 16 who has been missing from his home in the town since August 5.

Lee Thomas Wedge left the area with a group of travellers he had met in Chester with a view to working with them.

He telephoned home on August 6 to say that he was going to Reading to lay tarmac and cut trees and hedges.

Two weeks later, Lee called his mother to say that he was on the move to the Bristol area. He said he would be back home on August 31 but didn't return and has not been heard of since.

The last contact with his mother was on August 29. Of particular concern is that Lee has since missed his mother's wedding.

A police spokesman said: "Lee could now be anywhere in the country and his family are desperate to locate him. Both his family and the police are keen to speak to Lee just to confirm that he is okay and ascertain his current whereabouts."

Lee is described as white, 5ft 2in tall, of slim build, short mousey brown hair, fresh complexion and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark blue hoody, blue tracksuit and white trainers.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000.

Meanwhile, police are urging Lee, or anyone who knows where he is, to make contact with either his parents or police to provide assurance that he is safe and well.