“PLEASE come home, we miss you and love you very much.”

These are the heartfelt words of a distraught family desperately trying to trace missing Christchurch man David Legg.

The 52-year-old from Hurn Way left his home at around 11pm on Saturday and has not made contact with his family since.

He is suffering from health problems and was upset following a family disagreement.

Mr Legg’s disappearance is completely out of character and his wife Mary and his four children, Natalie, Daniel, Dominic and Charlotte and two stepchildren Karl and Rachael are frantic with worry.

In a bid to help find the father of four, his family have produced posters and have put them up in the Christchurch area appealing for the public’s help.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Legg’s son-in-law Nick Marshall, 30, said: “We are worried sick. The whole family is very emotional. It really has been a massive shock for us. I have certainly never experienced anything like this in my life.

“He is such a nice person, very hardworking. He is quite a reserved man, he loves gardening and walking his dog.

“We are all really worried – we just hope he will come back.

“We are doing everything we can to find him. We have tried every avenue. He has a small network of friends and family and we have tried them all.”

Nick has issued an emotional appeal directly to Mr Legg.

“Please come home. You are dearly loved by your family. We love you so much and hope you can come home. Your children are desperate to see you.”

Mr Legg is white, 6ft, of medium build and has short, light brown hair.

He has an inch long scar on the left side of his head.

When last seen he was wearing a white round neck T-shirt, blue jeans and a black knee-length parka jacket with a fur-lined hood. He left home on a red and black mountain bike.

Anyone with information about Mr Legg’s whereabouts should call 01202 222222.