A DISTRAUGHT Stratford mother has pleaded with her son to get in touch after he disappeared this week suffering from depression.

Sylvia Coldicott has been waiting by the telephone for 24 hours a day after 40-year-old son Phillip walked out of the house and vanished on Monday morning.

The pensioner of Gifford Walk is terrified her son, who has talked of suicide in the past, may not be seen alive again.

She hopes a friend may know why he has gone.

Mr Coldicott, who works at Boots in Bridge Street, came home unwell early last Friday.

"He was in one of his black moods and I know how to handle him when he is like that," she said.

"But he was terrible. He would not eat, drink, speak or anything, he just sat there."

He remained depressed until Monday morning, when he said he could not go to work and would visit a drop-in centre at Stratford hospital, leaving at 9.30am.

He never arrived.

"I just want to know where he is, I can't bear the waiting," Mrs Coldicott said.

"I would like to say to him: 'Get in touch.

"'If you don't want to talk to me then, please, ask someone else to phone me, the police or the Journal. I miss you and need to know you are safe'."

Police have discovered Mr Coldicott's cash card was used in Bristol although he is not thought to have connections in the area.

Mr Coldicott is tall, with short, greying hair and glasses and he was wearing a black leather jacket and light blue jeans.

If you have seen him, contact Stratford police on 01789 414111.