SEARCH and rescue teams in Canada have combed new territory in the hunt for missing Boars Hill backpacker Tom Billings.

But no trace was found of the 22-year-old, who has not been seen since November when he set out for short hike in mountains near Vancouver.

On Saturday North Shore Rescue (NSR) sent out volunteers in areas that “were not searched adequately due to snow”.

But later it posted: “NSR is now pulling teams out of the field. Unfortunately no sign of Tom. Our thoughts are with his family.”

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Under a post about the search on Facebook, user Elin Box wrote: “I know Tom. Thank you for not giving up on finding him, you’ve no idea how much we in England appreciate it.”

In May, former Cokethorpe School pupil Mr Billing’s father Martin, mother Laura and sister Harriet flew to Canada and visited the North Shore Rescue team to thank them personally for their efforts. The family also visited Vancouver Police and gave blood DNA samples for the force to use.

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