Fresh appeal to trace missing man Samuel Townsley one year after his disappearance.

Police hunting a missing man have made a fresh appeal for information more than a year after he disappeared.

Despite appeals from his family and widespread coverage in the media and on social media sites, no information has come to light to help Police Scotland locate the 28-year-old.

Chief Inspector Brian Shaw, from Irvine Police Office, said: "Samuel's family are distraught by his disappearance and this is a very upsetting time for them.

"Although he isn't always in regular contact with his family, he does eventually get in touch; however, they are extremely worried as a year has now passed without any contact from him, which is totally out of character.

"Despite the passage of time, we continue to carry out inquiries to trace him, and will follow up any sightings of Samuel.''

Numerous unconfirmed sightings were followed up by police in the weeks after his disappearance, but he was not found.

Samuel had no fixed address but liked to travel, particularly around the central belt.

He had previously visited Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire, Glasgow city centre, Grangemouth and Falkirk.

Inquiries have been carried out in those areas but without success.

He is described as white, around 5ft 3in and of stocky build with short brown hair and scars on his forehead.

A Police Scotland spokesman said he may have changed his appearance since he was last seen.

Anyone with any information on his whereabouts has been urged to contact Irvine Police Office via 101