The family of a "vulnerable" man last seen three months ago have spoken of their "indescribable stress" as they issue a renewed appeal for him to make contact.

Police have been searching "significant" areas and working with transport police and train operators to find Stephen Taylor, from Basildon, who was last seen on April 13.

In the past, 56-year-old Stephen has also been known to frequent Canvey and Southend but may have travelled further afield in the south east area.

Stephen’s brother Stuart Taylor said: “We want to express just how much we are missing Stephen and the upset it is causing.

“Stephen is vulnerable, and we’re extremely concerned for his welfare. We are just so desperate to have him home with us. It’s not getting any easier for us as a family for each day that passes and the emotional stress that his disappearance is causing is indescribable.

“As you can imagine, we are going through a very stressful, emotional and worrying time. We are so agonisingly desperate to find Stephen and are grateful for the work of Essex Police to find him.”

Officers have insisted they are also pursuing "all opportunities available" to them around his personal electronic devices.

Inspector Tom Neilson, of the Basildon policing team, said: “We’re continuing to work really hard to find Stephen and support his family through what is quite obviously an extremely distressing time.

“We are using all the tools which are available to us to find Stephen and, as well as that, I would ask that the public really familiarise themselves with Stephen’s image and if anyone sees him, or thinks they may have seen, please contact us as soon as possible on either 101 or 999.”

Stephen is described as white, 6ft 1ins tall, of large build and has brown shaved hair.

He also wears glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeved maroon and dark blue rugby shirt with a white stripe around the body and a white collar and grey tracksuit bottoms.

He also wears a St Christopher necklace and has a ring on the small finger of his left hand with ‘Stephen’ or ‘Steve’ engraved on it.

His appearance and attire are likely to have changed.