A close friend of missing Baildon student Gavin Terry has described the hunt for his old schoolmate as a nightmare for both him and Gavin's family.

Fabio Tozzi, who went to St Bede's Catholic Grammar in Highgate, Heaton, with Mr Terry, last spoke with him on the day he disappeared more than a week ago.

He is desperate to hear from anyone who could provide information. Mr Terry, 19, a first year student at the Leeds Metropolitan University, but originally from the Bradford area, went missing following a night out with friends in Leeds. There has been no sign of him since.

Mr Tozzi, also 19, from Clayton, Bradford, said: "Gavin is a really, really good friend of mine - we are all so worried about him.

"The last few days have been a nightmare. Gavin's disappearance has hit his family and friends very hard."

He described Mr Terry as a shy man with a bright future, and his disappearance was not typical.

"This is extremely out of character for Gavin as he has never been missing before. He has so much to look forward to that we are extremely concerned by his disappearance," he said.

"I'm asking anyone who was in that area of Leeds on Friday night and Saturday morning to look at the picture of Gavin and think back: Did you see him?

"Gavin, we are really worried and if you are out there please contact us, the police, anyone. Just get in touch and let us know where you are.

"I've known Gavin for the last six or seven years. He's a quiet lad and pretty shy, but when he opens up he has a great sense of fun and a good sense of humour. We went to school together and would still see each other every week, even though he's now living in Leeds. I last spoke to him on the phone the day he disappeared."

Mr Tozzi has been speaking with Mr Terry's family regularly throughout the search and said their strength was an inspiration.

"I went to visit Gavin's family yesterday. This is obviously an incredibly difficult time for them but Gavin's mum, Philomena, is being incredibly strong and holding everyone together. I think she is keeping strong to keep the rest of us going. She is being amazing but it must be so hard for her."

Mrs Terry made an emotional appeal at a press conference organised last week by West Yorkshire Police.

Mr Tozzi added a further appeal for information. He said: "We have had loads of people offering to help in any way they can; putting up fliers and handing out leaflets. The response so far has been brilliant.

"Thousands of people have logged on to the Facebook website to lend their support and we have got a lot of the information we have from people logging on.

"But I would like to appeal for everyone who hasn't visited the site to do so. There are lots of pictures and video footage on there and maybe it might jog someone's memory. Any information that can be given to the police could be vital."

Mr Tozzi said the Facebook website, which was launched the Saturday after Gavin went missing, already has 13,000 members.

He said the police had been able to update their search thanks to information provided by people visiting the website. Gavin was last seen in the Revolution nightclub on Call Lane, Leeds, on Friday night, January 11, sometime between midnight and 1am. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Underwater Search Units combed a stretch of the River Aire, and officers are continuing to conduct inquiries and search surrounding streets.

Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor said: "We have received some good information from the public which placed Gavin in the Revolution nightclub sometime between midnight and 1am on Saturday.

"We are continuing to conduct a number of inquiries and we still need people to come forward who may have seen or heard from Gavin after this time.

"Every hour that passes we, and Gavin's family and friends, are becoming increasingly concerned. It is important that anyone who may have information contacts police on 0845 6060606."