Concern is growing for the welfare of a man missing since Monday after his car was found abandoned.

Chris May, 28, left his house in St Mary's Road, Kelvedon, at around 9.45am on Monday and has not been in contact with friends or family since.

He sent a text to a friend in Kelvedon on Monday morning to say he was going to Braintree but his phone was later switched off from 11.50am.

His car, a silver VW Golf, was found abandoned at Troys Chase, Fairstead, near Terling, at 9pm on Wednesday.

Officers are now carrying out a close search of the area where the car was found.

Chris’s father, Mr Peter May, said: "We are all devastated because it is completely out of character for him to just go off without telling anyone.

"Chris would always keep in touch with the family and his friends. He is extremely close to his three sisters and brother and would do nothing to upset them.

"We hope that anyone who has seen him recently will contact the police immediately.”

Anyone who has seen Mr May, or saw his car being left at the scene, should phone officers at Braintree on 101.

Members of the public are asked not to go to the area while specialist search officers are working at the scene

UPDATE 10.20pm Saturday: Chris's family have made a hearfelt plea for him to get in touch.

See here: http://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk/news/12981385.Family_s_heartfelt_plea_for_missing_Chris_Hay_to_get_in_touch/

UPDATE 2.30pm Wednesday: Police have executed a search warrant of Chris' home in Kelvedon amid concerns of "suspicious" circumstances surrounding his disappearance:

See the latest here: http://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk/news/13310265.Police_carry_out_search_warrant_at_missing_Chris_May_s_home/

UPDATE 3pm Thursday: 

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Chris May are hoping to track down some walkers.

Chris’ car, a silver VW Golf, was found abandoned in Troy’s Chase, Fairstead, on Wednesday, May 27, but is believed to have been there since Monday, May 25.

The area is understood to be a popular walking route and Essex Police are appealing for some particular people to get in touch as they may have information which can help.

They are all believed to have been walking in the area on Monday, May 25.

The first is a couple who were walking a springer spaniel dog. The man had a bald head and the woman wore pink wellies.

There were also three children who were seen on their bikes, and a man who wore walking boots and was walking at a pace.

These people are asked to contact detectives on 101 as they may hold vital information which could help in the search for Chris.

UPDATE 2pm Friday:

Detectives have appealed to owners of private CCTV cameras to contact them in connection with the search for missing Chris May.

It has now been 11 days since Chris was last seen at his dad's house in Mount Road, Coggeshall.

DCI Marina Ericson of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and leading the search for the 28-year-old, is making a direct appeal to holders of private CCTV within the Kelvedon, Coggeshall, Witham and Braintree areas.

She said: "I am appealing for anyone who has privately owned CCTV which recorded the road outside their premises in the Braintree, Witham, Kelvedon or Coggeshall areas on the morning of Monday, May 25, and the footage is still available, to contact my team.

"I am still trying to piece together Chris’ movements after he left his father’s home on the Monday morning. He was driving a silver Volkswagen Golf which was later abandoned in Troy’s Chase, Fairstead."

Following an appeal yesterday to trace a number of people who had been seen in the Troy’s Chase area on Monday, May 25, they have now come forward.

However we continue to appeal for anyone who was in that area before 11.30am on Monday, May 25, to contact detectives.

Anyone with any information should get in touch on 101, emailscdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

UPDATE 3.45pm Tuesday:

Chris May’s family are hoping he will get in touch this week in time for his sister’s birthday.

More than two weeks have passed since the 28-year-old, of St Mary’s Road, Kelvedon, was last seen by his family after he visited his father on the morning of Monday, May 25.

It is hoped that he will get in touch with his sister Kelly, who turns 25 on Friday.

His dad Peter, of Mount Road, Coggeshall, who was the last person to see Chris, said: "The last time I saw Chris on the Monday he popped over to see me for maybe five minutes. It was just another day.

“There was nothing to suggest that he would go missing.

“Chris has never even been on holiday for two weeks or not spoken to his family or friends for this long. It is so out of character.

"We miss his smile. He is a big kid and is adored by all the children. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is always one to try and lift the mood.

“He is a real joker, everyone’s favourite person. That’s why he has so many friends.”

Chris has a brother Daniel, aged 31, and three sisters, Charlene, 30, Gemma 26, and Kelly 24.

He also has three nieces and two nephews.

His mum, Lorraine, from Halstead, said: "It’s Kelly’s 25th birthday on Friday. There is no reason why Chris would not speak to his sister on her birthday.

The best birthday present she could have is news that Chris is ok.

"Since he went missing everything has stopped for us. You hope that every day when you wake up that you’re going to hear something.

“Even just to know that he is ok. Obviously we want him to come home but even just to know he was alright would be better than this.”

Detectives have centred their enquiries around Troy’s Chase, Fairstead, where Chris’s silver Volkswagen Golf was seen abandoned at 11.30am on Monday, May 25.

The former Honywood School pupil was due to start a new job on Tuesday, May 26, working with a friend to build tennis courts.

He was looking forward to it but never turned up for work.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact detective on 101, or email scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.ukor contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

UPDATE 10am Wednesday 11th: 

Police are appealing for geocachers who may have information on Chris's disappearance to get in touch.

Enquiries have established that the Essex Way and in particular the area near Troy’s Chase in Fairstead where Chris’ car was found, is a popular area for geocaching.

Geocaching is an outdoor activity where participants use a GPS receiver or mobile app to find containers called cashes anywhere in the world. A cache contains a logbook and pen and the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs. The cache must be placed back in the exact place it was found.

Anyone who may have been looking for geocaches in that area on Monday, May 25, to get in contact as they may have information which could help the enquiry.

Information can be passed to detectives by calling 101 or emailing scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk