POLICE are "very concerned" for the safety of a 12-year-old boy who has been missing from home for nearly four weeks.

They are desperately trying to track down Fred Burrowes, who was last seen in Gillingham on January 23 at about 10.15pm. He is 4ft 11ins tall and weighs around six and a half stone. He has blond hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

He was last seen wearing navy blue jogging bottoms, a dark coloured top, but he is believed to have been wearing extra clothing underneath.

PC Sue de Banke, the missing persons officer, said: "We are very concerned for his safety. I would appeal to Fred to get in contact with the police to let them know he is safe and well. Someone must know his whereabouts and I would urge them to get in contact with us."

Anyone with any information about the boy's whereabouts should contact Medway police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls will be treated as confidential.