Fears are growing for a Chinese former UCLan student, who has been missing since finishing his studies in Preston last year.

Hau Xu, 30, first arrived in Preston in 2004 to study a finance course, and was staying with friends in the Deepdale area whilst studying at UCLan.

Last July his friends believed he had returned to China, but recently his worried family contacted them as Hau never returned. It was then that the alarm was raised both here and in China.

Hau has now been missing for eight months and police are appealing for any information.

Andy Bradbury at Preston police said: “Hau has been missing for a long time now, and at this late stage there has been no forthcoming information at all.

“We suspect that Hau is still in Preston, and are appealing to other students and members of the Chinese community who may know where he is to come forward so that we know he is safe and well.”

Anyone who knows of Hau Xu’s whereabouts or has any information should call Preston police on 01772 203203.