Friends desperate to find a man who has now been missing for 17 days have set up a Facebook page for people to share potential sightings.

Dan Venes, 31, from Canterbury, was last seen at about 6pm on August 14, in the College Road area of Margate.

Pals believe the talented artist and musician "is out there somewhere" and insist they "won't give up" on him.

His dad Jason Joiner last week told KentOnline that Dan had been picked up at Sturry Railway Station by police following concerns for his welfare.

He was taken to the QEQM hospital in Margate, but is believed to have left soon after.

Dan was captured on CCTV in Margate a short while later, but there have been no confirmed sightings of him since.

A police helicopter helped search over Boughton-under-Blean on August 17 after someone reported seeing him in the area.

Then on Tuesday last week, it was sent up again to help scour the seafront in Reculver, following another possible sighting.

But with the guitarist and songwriter still missing, a 'Help find Dan Venes' Facebook page has been set up to aid the search.

A post on the page says: "Can everyone joining please invite as many people as they can to the page - near, far or wide.

"He is out there somewhere. We won’t give up on you Dan, so please don’t give up on yourself."

Another post urges people to check "all sheds, alleyways and anywhere people may think he could be".

"Let's bring Dan home," it adds.

A further potential sighting was shared on the page today - this time by a dog walker who noticed someone wearing a red and black checked shirt in Palm Bay.

Mr Joiner, 55, from Swalecliffe, says he has been extremely worried and struggling to sleep since police called to inform him of Dan’s disappearance.

“Lots of his friends and me and my family have been searching for him,” he said.

Addressing Dan directly, he added: “Just please come home - everyone’s worried.

“Nobody’s going to be upset or mad at him.

“We love him. I tell him all the time. “

Mr Joiner also urged members of the public to keep looking out for his son, and to contact the police if they see him.

Dan was born in London and has lived in locations including Italy and Herne Bay.

“He’s a lovely, caring person..."

Now based in Canterbury, he has thousands of followers on Facebook pages that exhibit his work.

His page ‘Dan Venes - Acoustic’ features his popular music “inspired by blues, rock, folk and just music with soul”.

He is also known for busking in the city.

His dad said: “He’s a lovely, caring person.

“He’s brilliant on guitar, and his artwork he sells to America, Canada, and all over the place. A lot of people buy his work and follow him.”

Dan is 5ft 9ins tall, with a slim build and short, dark hair.

He also has a short beard and was last seen wearing a red and black checked shirt with black jeans.

Police today confirmed Dan is still missing and inquiries to locate him remain ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 and quoting reference number 14-1230.

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