A NEW photo of a missing boy has been released as the desperate search to find him continues.

Saltdean teenager Owen Harding, 16, has not been seen since leaving his home between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday.

Officers have been holding searches in Saltdean and Teslcombe Cliffs, as well as making "extensive enquries" in the area, but so far no further  information as to Owen's whereabouts has come to light.

The Argus:

A huge social media campaign has been launched to help find him, with appeals being shared by the likes of YouTube star PewDiePie, who asked his 20 million followers to "help find Owen".

A Facebook page dedicated to supporting search efforts has been set up, called Find Owen Harding - Missing Teen.

Owen is white, 5ft 11in tall and of athletic build.

He has short brown hair and normally wears white trainers and a dark hoodie.

When he went missing he is thought to have been wearing dark joggers, not the white tracksuit bottoms he is wearing in the image.

The Argus:

During the search, police have discounted a potential line of enquiry around his mobile phone, but officers continue to investigate his links to the East Riding area of Yorkshire.

Investigating officer detective chief inspector Alasdair Henry said: "Along with Owen's family and friends, we are very keen to hear from anyone who can help us in our search for him.

"Were you driving in the Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs area the evening of his disappearance and might you have captured dashcam footage of him? Did you see Owen in the Saltdean area after 6pm on Thursday?

The Argus:

“We would like to thank the public for their support in our investigation and, while we appreciate people would like to help with our searches, we are urging everyone to abide by Government guidance at all times. We are utilising all our available resources to search locally and will, of course, link up with colleagues across the country if there is anything to suggest that he has travelled out of Sussex.

"If you live in the Saltdean or Telscombe Cliffs area, please check sheds, gardens or other outbuildings in case Owen has sought shelter there.

"If you have seen Owen or know of his whereabouts, please report online or call 101 quoting Operation Chartwell. If you see him, please dial 999 immediately."