Distraught parents James and Maureen Knight were today appealing for help to trace their 30-year-old son who has vanished without trace, writes Suzanne Huband.

Fears are growing for the safety of Colin Knight, who disappeared after abandoning his beloved motorbike.

He was last seen on May 11 when he was sharing a house, Coldshaw Cottage, at Stonesfield, with two friends. Colin, who comes from Bletchingdon where his parents still live in Valentia Close, had a cherished chopper-style, custom-built bike which was found lying on land at Spelsbury, near Charlbury.

Police have been alerted and are making extensive enquiries.

A bus driver reported seeing someone matching Colin's description walking on the Spelsbury to Chipping Norton road with a rucksack a few days after May 11. His anxious mother, 54, said today: "We just want to hear from Colin that he is safe and well. His birthday was on June 9 and there are cards waiting for him.

"We have contacted everybody we can think of.

"He is a friendly person who gets on well with folk and it is unlike him not to get in touch.

"It is a very worrying time for his family and friends." Dad James, 52, a process worker at BMW in Cowley, said: "We miss him and just want him to come home.''

Colin is 5ft 6in tall and of muscular build. He has short dark brown hair and sometimes grows a beard. A carpenter and joiner by trade, he also works on building sites.

Sgt Kath Lowe, of Thames Valley Police, said: "Because Mr Knight's disappearance is out of character we are concerned about his welfare. "Like his family, we want to know that he is safe and that cannot be confirmed at this time."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01295 754550.