Police remain baffled by the disappearance of partygoer Paul Chaplin after a full-scale search failed to produce any new clues.

The 20-year-old disappeared nearly three weeks ago after leaving a works party at the Chicago Rock Cafe in Park End Street, Oxford. On Christmas Eve, police carried out a detailed search of Park End Street, Botley Road and the Botley interchange. No new information came to light and officers are now likely to scale down the search.

Paul, of Roman Way, Wantage, spent the evening of December 7 with colleagues from RM, the schools computer firm based at Milton Park, near Abingdon. He told them he planned to catch a bus or walk the 18 miles home.

He was seen on security cameras leaving the cafe soon after midnight and there has been no trace of him since. His family - father Gareth, 44, mother Alison, 43, and brothers Richard, 18, and Stuart, 12 - spent a quiet Christmas at home.

Mr Chaplin said yesterday: "We tried to make it as normal as possible. Lots of friends dropped in or telephoned, giving us support."

He said the family remained optimistic that Paul was still alive and praised police for their work in trying to find him.

"In terms of effort and resources, I could not have expected any more," he said.

A Lancia Delta turbo car - a model he had always wanted - is in the family garage awaiting his return. Insp Paul Kirtland, who has been leading the search, said: "We have no idea why this young man has gone missing and we are keeping an open mind."

He added that police were still keen to talk to taxi, bus or lorry drivers who were in the area and might have given Paul a lift.

Earlier, police used a helicopter, horses and tracker dogs to search the route he might have taken between Oxford and Wantage and divers scoured the canal and stream near the cafe.

Paul, a keen rugby player, is 6ft tall, of stocky build and has short blond hair. He has blue eyes and speaks with a local accent. He was last seen wearing light trousers, white shirt and a blue jacket.

Call Wantage police on 01235 776000 if you can help.

Story date: Tuesday 28 December

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