A family have spoken of their "unbearable" existence - anxiously waiting for news of missing Pat Lamb.

In a emotion-packed statement, the 28-year-old's family have revealed the pain of waiting for a missing person to return.

They also released this new picture of the missing son with his mother.

The posting, on the Facebook page Help Find Patrick Lamb, urged well-wishers to help find the broadcast engineer, who has been missing since the early hours of December 13, after a night out.

Speaking to more than 45,000 followers, the message said: "I think any loving family can imagine what it's like to have a child missing but in reality it is far more painful.

"You don't stop loving your children as they get older and you look forward to a phone call, a message or a meeting.

"Silence and not knowing makes every day unbearable.

"We want Pat back and we appeal to everyone for help and thank all that have helped already."

It comes after an online petition was launched to get his story featured on Crimewatch.

Natasha Morgan, the 28-year-old's girlfriend, created the petition this week and it has so far attracted over 4,000 signatures.

Volunteers have also planned a balloon release to take part at Mote Park on Sunday, January 11.

They will meet near the cafe at 2pm and will attach posters to 500 helium balloons.

Members of the public are invited to attend and supporters are asked to donate £1 on the day to cover the cost.

Mr Lamb, who lives in Greenhithe, went missing after a night out to Maidstone with two friends on Friday, December 12.

He had booked a room at Grange Moor Hotel in Saint Michael's Road, Maidstone, for the night but he never returned.

The timeline so far:

Friday, December 12, 11.42pm: Mr Lamb seen on CCTV in Gabriel’s Hill. Door staff pointed him in the direction of some paramedics at the top of Gabriel’s Hill, but he did not speak to them.

11.47pm: Seen in Jubilee Square at the top of Gabriel’s Hill and the High Street, having purchased a sandwich at Subway in Gabriel’s Hill.

11.59pm walks down the High Street to the junction with Pudding Lane. A CCTV image of this has been published.

Saturday, December 13 00.07am Mr Lamb seen on private CCTV in Pudding Lane, making his way into a small car park behind the shops, where he remains for approximately 11 minutes.

00.20am Having used a small alleyway to come back out onto Earl Street, Mr Lamb crosses Fairmeadow and takes a flight of steps to the river side. This has been corroborated by a reliable witness statement. A CCTV image of this has been published. This is the last sighting of him.

01.34am: His phone goes ‘offline’ from the mobile phone network. It is not known if Patrick was in possession of his phone when it went offline.

To view the petition click here