A BOLTON schoolboy with a fascination for "gambling" in amusement arcades has vanished without trace.

Mehul Patel, aged 14, has not been seen since he left his Deane home for school three days ago.

And today, as police throughout Britain were alerted about his disappearance, his anxious family urged him to get in touch.

Police believe Mehul, a pupil of Deane School, may have travelled to Blackpool or other resorts and cities to play in the amusement arcades.

Mehul of Newstead Drive, Bolton left home for school in a taxi on Tuesday. He was dropped off outside school by the driver but then disappeared.

He was wearing his school uniform when he was last seen.

Det Insp Mo Shafiq of Bolton CID said there is no evidence to suggest that the teenager has come to any harm but said he has never been reported missing before.

"His family are devastated," he said. "They have searched all over the place for him but so far no one appears to have seen him.

"He is obviously very young and is a vulnerable age. We want to establish he is safe and well and urge anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to get in touch."

He added: "His mother and father are worried sick and desperately want him back." A photograph and details of his appearance have been circulated to other police forces throughout the country.

Mehul is 5ft 6ins tall, heavy build, with short wavy hair, brown eyes and speaks with a northern accent. He was last seen wearing black trousers, white shirt, maroon sweatshirt, a maroon and black tie and a large brown jacket.

Police believe Mehul also took a pair of black jeans with him when he disappeared.

Anyone with information about the teenager is asked to contact police at Bolton's Middle Hulton Police Station, tel: 0161 856 5680 or Crimestoppers on the free phone number 0800 555 111.

Today his heartbroken father, Vasant Patel, said his son's disappearance is "totally out of character".

"We don't know where he is or why he has disappeared," said Mr Patel. "It is a mystery."

Mr Patel said Mehul left home in a taxi with a £20 note given to him by his sister to pay the fare.

"The fare was only £1.50 so he did have some money with him but not enough to last for three days. He is a clever boy but is also very shy. He likes playing on computers and is fascinated by amusement arcades." Mr Patel, a self-employed businessman, said his son's disappearance has devastated his family.

"His mother is now ill because of worry," said the tearful dad. "We desperately want Mehul back and will keep looking for him until we get him back home safely."

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