Police believe a man who disappeared from Thamesmead 25 years ago in mysterious circumstances could be living in Plaistow.

Officers are still searching for the whereabouts of Ian Bushell who went missing from his flat in the winter of 1988 when he was 21-years-old.

Ian’s father visited his address to discover Ian had disappeared but all of his possessions were still inside.

A national media appeal was launched at the time but Ian was never found.

Now aged 46, police believe Ian is living in the Plaistow area and may be using the name Adrian.

Ian’s parents have since passed away but his sister has never given up hope of finding him.

Det Chf Insp Gary Holmes said: “Earlier this year enquiries led my officers to a witness who had re-located to Barbados but told us Ian was seen alive and well in 2007 in Green Street, Upton Park.

“This gave us the breakthrough we needed.

“As the case nears its 25th anniversary we are making a fresh appeal in the hope of tracing Ian and reuniting him with his sister.”

Anyone with any information should call Bexley Missing Persons on 0208 284 9111 or police on 101.