A TEACHER accompanying two pupils from The Gambia on a three week visit to a Bromsgrove school has mysteriously disappeared.

Bubacarr Sanyang, aged 31, head of modern languages at Armitage Senior High School in The Gambia, West Africa, went missing on July 15 while visiting Birmingham.

The two pupils, Majula Kuyateh and Alagie Jaw, flew home alone on Friday.

The annual trip was the 16th made by staff and youngsters from Armitage to North Bromsgrove High School. The link was forged in 1987 and over the years a pattern of exchange trips has emerged with the Africans coming here in July and representatives from North making the 3,000 mile trip to The Gambia in the winter.

Before his disappearance Mr Sanyang, who had been staying at a private address in Redditch, said he had been impressed by the kindness and hospitality shown by Bromsgrove folk.

PC Fergus Green, of West Mercia police, said there is concern for Mr Sanyang's safety. He said the teacher was last seen in the Steelhouse Lane area of Birmingham when he had became separated from the rest of the party.

"He speaks good English so what happened to him is a mystery and very concerning. He has no relatives in Britain, although checks have been carried out in the Nottingham area."

Yesterday (Tuesday) police said there was still no news of his whereabouts.