A NATIONWIDE appeal has been launched to find a man who went missing from a mental health unit.

Derek Jarrett left the unit in Benfleet with a woman on Wednesday, April 30.

She returned on Saturday, May 3, after being found in Bristol by police.

Detectives believe Mr Jarrett could have travelled to London, Kent or Maidenhead after making enquiries.

However, they are not ruling out that he could may still be in the Bristol area.

Essex Police have alerted officers from the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police and Thames Valley Police about his disappearance. Avon and Somerset Police will continue their search after they were alerted last week.

Mr Jarrett is described as white, is approximately 5ft 6ins tall, has grey hair and has several tattoos on his arms. He was caught on CCTV at a hotel in Bristol where he stayed at. He should not be approached, with people instead urged to contact police immediately.

Anyone who sees him should call police on 999.