A Shrewsbury father missing since a night out in the town over the weekend was today urged to get in touch by desperate family and friends.

Mark Hodnett has gone missing

Mark Hodnett, of Grange Road, Radbrook, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday leaving C21 in Abbey Foregate.

He had been out drinking with friends at the Red Barn pub and had left his car on the car park.

Just hours after the 27-year-old was last seen emergency services were called to the River Severn following reports of persons in the river, though no-one was found.

Emma Davies, the mother of Mr Hodnett’s one-year-old son Oliver, from Herongate, said: “I last saw him on Thursday when he dropped his little boy off. I’m still close to his family and get on with them really well. I’m obviously devastated as we have got a kid together. Oliver keeps asking for his dad.

“If anyone knows anything, just let us know because his little boy needs his dad. Hopefully, he will come back safe and sound. It’s not like him as he is always in contact with his mum and is so close with her.”

Matthew Everington, a close friend of Mr Hodnett’s, said his shirt and mobile phone had been found near the river. But he said no-one had seen or heard from him and his car remained in the pub car park.

Mr Everington set up a Facebook group which already has nearly 2,000 members and has put up posters around the town.

He said: “Mark was out drinking with friends and was last seen at about 1am on the morning of Saturday. Mark wasn’t excessively drunk at all and was last seen by C21 in Abbey Foregate.

“Later that morning someone spotted a person struggling in the river but in getting a safety ring from the side of the river the person disappeared from the water. Obviously the rescue services were called.

“We are all desperately worried and just want Mark to get in touch so we know he is okay.”

Police are also investigating Mr Hodnett’s disappearance and urged anyone with information to get in touch by calling 0300 333 3000.