THE parents of a missing man have expressed their bewilderment at the mysterious circumstances of his disappearance.

Gavin Berry, 24, from Battery Hill, Winchester, vanished from his work place after just one hour last Tuesday.

Apart from a siting at a convenience store at 5pm in the city he has not been seen since.

His father Chris, from Stoke Charity, north of the city, describes his son as a quiet man quite capable of looking after himself, who likes reading.

Apart from some debts he knows of no reason why his son should suddenly disappear without telling them.

Mr Berry, a postman, said: "Since I found out he had been back to his lodgings to collect his wallet and passport in between leaving work and going to the shop, I'm less concerned.

"But it still is unusual for him to go off like this without saying anything."

He added: "Everyone I've spoken to so far said he just appeared his usual self on the Tuesday. "We think it's a mystery."

Previously Gavin has been to Iceland and France travelling for weeks at a time. But he usually keeps in regular contact with his parents. On the morning of August 10, Gavin turned up for work as normal at 8am at Winchester Bulb Growers where he has recently been promoted.But by 9am he had disappeared.

Sergeant Mark Voller of North Walls Police Station in Winchester is also baffled by the disappearance. He said it is most unusual for anyone to turn up for work first and then go missing.

Gavin is described as 5ft 9ins tall, of stocky build, with short black cropped hair, a goatee beard and tends to walk with a limp.

His mother, Ruth, 47, said: " If anyone knows where he might be, or if anything unusual happened to him on that Tuesday, please pick up the phone."

His parents can be contacted on 01962 760719 or Sgt Voller on 01962 841555.

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