The heartbroken parents of a man who has been missing for 18 years have spoken on camera for the first time since their son’s disappearance.

Andrew Bateman went missing on the morning of April 12, 1999, from the family home in Lawn Lane, Hemel Hempstead, when he was 27 years old.

He is now 45 years old and his family are desperate to trace him.

Brian and Rosemary have never given up hope of finding their son.

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Eighteen years on they have recorded a video appeal in the hope that it will persuade Andrew to get in touch, even if it is just to let them know he is safe and well.

Speaking directly to Andrew on camera, Brian said: “We would just like you to make contact one way or another, either through a friend, just to write a letter or a phone call, anything just to make contact with us to let us know you’re alright.

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“We would really like you to make contact in some way so that it will give us some peace of mind.”

When Andrew went missing he had the nicknames Leaf and Leafy and was described as being around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build and having brown eyes.