POLICE are hoping News Shopper readers can help solve the mystery of a missing man.

After more than five years of searching and carrying out extensive inquiries, police are baffled as to the whereabouts of 38-year-old Christopher Whitaker from Hertfordshire.

Mr Whitaker went missing from Hemel Hempstead in March 2001 and it is believed he moved to Kent in November 2003.

But there has been no positive sighting of him since he left Hemel Hempstead.

PC Stuart Barnett, of Hertfordshire Police's missing persons' unit, said: "We have been trying to trace Christopher for over five years now and have recently been led to believe he may still be in Kent and possibly south east Kent.

"He is not in any trouble but we really need to speak to him to confirm that he is alive and well.

"He worked for BT in Hemel Hempstead and was very computer literate so may still work in that type of role. Do you work with him? Have you heard from him lately?"

Mr Whitaker is white, aged 38 and 5ft 6in tall. Although he may have changed his appearance, when he went missing he had short brown hair and a beard.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Barnett on 01442 271622 (Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm) or 0845 33 00 222.