A DESPERATE mother is appealing for help to find her teenage son who is missing during the coronavirus lockdown.

Stella Harding, whose 16-year-old son Owen has not been seen since Thursday, is pleading for information as emergency services comb the shoreline. 

Sussex Police said officers had been searching the beaches last night in a bid to find the teenager who was last seen leaving his home in Bevendean Avenue, Saltdean, at about 6.45pm.

The Argus:

Picture: @SussexIncidents

Mother Stella Harding said: "It is very unlike Owen to go missing and to not be in contact with friends, family or his girlfriend. 

>> READ MORE: 'Obey the lockdown' police warn people looking for missing teenager

"Clearly, it is a really difficult time for everyone at the moment and we’re all desperately worried, especially since this is so out of character and our ability to get out the house and find him is limited. 

"We think there is a possibility that something has happened to Owen and are appealing for those in Saltdean, Telscombe, Ovingdean and Brighton, to look out for him.

The Argus:

"The police are looking too and have asked anyone with information to come forward.”

Owen left the house to watch the sunset in the Telscombe Tye area and has not been in contact with family or friends since.

He is white, about 5ft 9in, of athletic build, with short brown hair.

He normally wears white trainers, tracksuit trousers and a dark hoodie.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Anyone who sees him or knows where he could be is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1198 of 26/03.”

The Argus:

Nadia Sawalha, who is a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, spoke out on Instagram about the missing teenager, urging her followers to come forward with information.

The teenager is a friend of Nadia's 17-year-old daughter Maddie.

Posting a photo of Owen online, Nadia wrote: "Please help my daughter’s friend, Owen.

“16-year-old Owen left home yesterday evening after a disagreement and has not returned.

“Owen's mum has told us that this is very out of character for him. He apparently does not have any charge on his phone.

"There were concerns that he may have tried to travel to see his girlfriend in York but there he has not arrived there or made any contact.

"Please could you keep a look out especially on The Telscombe Tye, on the Downs and beach areas in and around Saltdean and its neighbouring villages and towns."