THE family of a missing Warrington man with a mental age of 15 believe he could have headed to Blackpool and have appealed to Fylde residents for information to help them find him.

Paul Davies, aged 49, from Conway Avenue in Bewsey, Warrington, has been missing from home for three weeks. He was last seen by his family on June 9 when he left home to put a bet on the Derby at his local bookies.

Paul, who has learning difficulties, is extremely vulnerable. He was suffering from a chest infection when he left home and hasn't taken his medication with him. He took just £10 in cash when he left and his family are concerned about how he will find food and shelter.

He was last seen by a taxi driver at Warrington Bank Quay station and his sister Sheila Hulme believes he may have headed for Blackpool or Southport.

His family have scoured hospitals and shopping centres across the region and have visited Blackpool to put up posters of Paul in a desperate bid to find him.

Breaking down, Paul's mother Irene said: "I feel terrible, I am just so confused. I can't think of a reason why he would go away. He has never left home before. He wouldn't usually get on a bus on his own -- he just walked everywhere. I can't believe no-one has seen him.

"Wherever he is, if anyone is holding him, will you please just tell him to come home? We are all so worried and we miss him so much."

The timing of Paul's disappearance is particularly distressing for his family as his brother Ian died of a heart attack, aged 42, a year ago next week.

Paul is a keen Wolves fan and supports Leeds and loves horse racing. He doesn't usually talk unless he is approached and is only used to mixing with his family and other people with special needs.

His sister Irene said: "We want him to come home. We miss him and we just want to know he is safe and well."

Paul is white, 5ft 7ins, medium build, fair complexion, brown eyes and short brown hair which is greying.

He was wearing a blue jumper with a stripe down the side, black trousers and a blue nylon padded jacket and black shoes.

Anyone with information about Paul's whereabouts is asked to contact Warrington police on 01244 613899.