Missing Ben Thompson: Search continues in Cardiff

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-21389250

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Police are continuing a search for a missing rugby fan who disappeared after watching Wales' opening game in the Six Nations in the Millennium Stadium.

Ben Thompson, 34, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was last seen by friends in Cardiff city centre at about 18:30 GMT on Saturday.

South Wales Police say CCTV footage shows him 45 minutes later walking towards wasteland at Lawrenny Avenue.

Officers will carry out further searches of the area over the weekend.

Search teams are focusing efforts around nearby woodlands as well as the River Ely and the banks of the A4232.

'Desperately worried'

Gardens and outbuildings south of Broad Street are also being revisited this weekend.

Chf Insp Eddie Ough said: "Ben's family are desperately worried and continue to be supported and updated by family liaison officers."

The Welsh Rugby Union has backed appeals for help in the search.

Officials urged anyone with information to contact the police and offered support to Mr Thompson's family.

Mr Thompson's wife, Jo, made an emotional plea to anyone who saw him on the night he went missing to come forward at a press conference on Tuesday.

Mr Thompson had travelled up from Pembrokeshire on Friday night with a friend to stay at a hotel in Cardiff Airport

He was last seen by his friends after Saturday's match at 18:30 GMT in Mill Lane but at some point left a queue for a bar, before being spotted on CCTV cameras at 19:17 GMT in Leckwith.

His phone was switched off at around 18:00 GMT and had not been switched back on.

A large group of colleagues from Mr Thompson's work at South Hook LNG in Milford Haven have joined the search.

The CCTV footage from Saturday shows that Mr Thompson appears to have come from the direction of the Jubilee recreation ground, which is between Sloper Road and Leckwith Road.

Mr Thompson is 5ft 9in (1.75m), with short brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing brown leather lace-up boots, jeans, and, possibly, a white shirt with blue thin stripes.

People are asked to call the command room at Cardiff Bay Police Station on 02920 338 465.