POLICE today stepped up their hunt for a vulnerable schoolboy missing from his Hampshire home.

Nathan Lowry, 12, was last seen at 4pm yesterday in Hornet Close, near Haslar Lake, Gosport. He lives in Wheelers Close, near Haslar Lake, Gosport. He is partially deaf and has a slight speech impediment.

Nathan is described as having brushed back blonde short hair and blue eyes. He is 4ft tall, slim and was wearing green and grey combat trousers, a white football shirt, covered with a grey hooded sweat shirt, and blue trainers.

A search was launched by Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service, police dog handlers and the police spotter plane.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 0454545.