#HelpFindPeter Fears For 'Vulnerable' Missing TV Presenter Peter Rowell,

9:35am UK, Wednesday March 30, 2011

Katie Stallard, west of England correspondent

A bereaved popular television and radio presenter who has gone missing is described as 'vulnerable' by police.

Broadcaster Peter Rowell, as seen in a publicity photo released by concerned police

Peter Rowell, for many years the face of ITV West Country breakfast bulletins, and now a presenter for BBC Radio Bristol, is said to be depressed after the death of a close family member.

Mr Rowell, 52, was last seen on Tuesday morning at about 8.30am, when he left his home in Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, for work as normal.

But he did not arrive, and concern increased when he could not be contacted.

Police say Mr Rowell's car has been found not far from his home, parked at a Morrisons supermarket in Yate.

A BBC spokesman said: "Our main concern is for Peter's welfare and we'll provide all the support we can for his family."

Media colleagues across the West have been using social networking sites to raise awareness of his disappearance.

Friends said Mr Rowell appeared to have deleted his own Facebook and Twitter profiles.

He is described as a white man with white and silver coloured hair, 5ft 10ins tall and of stocky build.

He is possibly wearing brown coloured jeans and a white shirt.

A #helpfindpeter campaign has spread across Facebook and Twitter.

:: Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for Mr Rowell, or anyone who thinks they may have seen him, to contact Staple Hill police station on 0845 4567000.

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