A DISTRAUGHT mum has issued a desperate cry for help to find her missing teenage son.

Penny Maynard has not seen her son Dominic, 19, since he stormed out of their home near Bridport after a row.

He missed his midnight curfew and later left his family a lengthy answer phone message thanking them and saying goodbye.

Heartbroken Mrs Maynard fears the worst and is now appealing for help from the public to find Dominic.

"It's really upsetting," she said. "We're all very concerned about him.

"I'm just so scared he's got in a real state and done something to himself."

Mrs Maynard, of Crock Lane, Bothenhampton, fell out with Dominic when she found him with a young woman in his bedroom on Saturday.

She said: "I didn't approve so I asked them to leave. But I didn't expect him to do anything like this.

"I didn't realise he was so upset but he clearly really took it to heart.

"Dominic has never gone missing before. This is really out of character, which is why it's so worrying."

In the message Dominic thanked Mrs Maynard for being a good mum and said goodbye to his sister Rachel and brother Toby.

He said there is a letter for his family in his black Renault Clio - but they have not been able to find his car.

Mrs Maynard said: "Nobody has seen or heard from him. We've tried phoning him and we've contacted all his friends.

"My husband Paul and I have been everywhere looking for him, we've been to Weymouth, Poole and Bournemouth.

"Dominic has friends in Southampton so Rachel has been there searching, but he could be anywhere."

Dominic, a former Sir John Colfox School pupil, is taking a foundation course in art at Weymouth College.

Mrs Maynard said: "He's got lots of friends and he's popular with the girls. He's got so much going for him.

"Dominic is really friendly, people like to talk to him and he puts himself out to help others.

"He's 6ft tall but he's quite sensitive really, he's a very softly spoken lad."

Mrs Maynard said police are doing their best to find Dominic, who also has a part time job at Somerfield in Bridport.

"I don't think he will be too far from his car so hopefully someone will have seen him," she added. "If so please get in touch.

"We're so worried about him, I can't sleep and it's really affecting us all. We just want to find our boy now."

Inspector Shawn Whitley, Bridport police section commander, said: "We're searching for Dominic and his car and doing lots of checks with family and friends.

"If anybody does know where he might be, or if he reads this himself, please let us know that he is safe and well."

Dominic's car's registration number is P770 TVS. If you have seen it or him call police on (01305) 222222.