The search for missing Pat lamb who disappeared on a night out in Maidstone more than three weeks ago switched to Medway this afternoon.

The hunt for the 28-year-old is being centred around woodland at the Farthing Corner service station on the M2 coastbound near Gillingham, after unconfirmed reports he was seen walking in the area.

It follows yesterday's continuing fruitless search of the river in Maidstone.

But the latest bid to find the broadcast engineer was led by Daryll Olde, a father-to-be from Gillingham, also 28, who made an impassioned plea for others to join him.

Mr Olde, a student said: “I don’t know Pat, his family or his girlfriend. But I would like to think if the same thing happened to me others would do likewise for the sake of my wife.”

Mr Lamb from Greenhithe disappeared after a night out clubbing with friends on Friday December 12.

Several CCTV images show him walking through the town centre and there have been other unsubstantiated sightings including one near junction 4 of the motorway at Gillingham.

His whereabouts are now the focus of a major operation involving police, Kent Search and Rescue, family, friends and even strangers. Specialist police and teams using search dogs have also been brought in.

An update on the Help Find Patrick Lamb Facebook page, which now has 24,000 likes, called for helpers across the county to put up posters.

Mr Olde, team leader for the Medway area, said: “We can’t leave any stone unturned. We have to check out every lead otherwise we will never know.

“We have just come out of the season of goodwill. This is all about common decency.”

Mr Lamb’s girlfriend, Natasha Morgan has released an emotional video begging him to get in touch.

She pleads: “Pat, if you’re listening, I love you so much.Please come home to me.

“It doesn’t matter what’s happened or if you feel embarrassed or if you think you’ve done something wrong. It really doesn’t matter.

The 28-year-old has been staying in Maidstone since her boyfriend’s disappearance helping out with the search.

His father Tony Lamb, 65, from Greenhithe, said: “My ultimate fear is that Pat has fallen into the river. We can only hope for the best, but fear the worst.

Mr Lamb grew up in Whitstable and went to Canterbury High School. Miss Morgan said he had in the past mistakenly headed back to Caterbury after having a drink.