Search continues for 19-year-old missing near Wigan for almost a week
Tom Dingle was last seen in Appley Bridge early on Saturday
Last updated 19th Dec 2025
The mother of 19-year-old Tom Dingle, missing from near Wigan, says it's like living "in hell" as she appeals for her son to come home.
Tom, a student who lives in Appley Bridge in west Lancashire, was last seen at Stonemill Rise at about 00:30 GMT on Saturday.
Police believe he may have then headed to the Appley Lane North area.
His mother, Susan Dingle, said: "We just want him home, where it's safe, it's cold and wet at night, we don't know if he's seeking shelter anywhere.
"He needs to know that he's not in any trouble.
"We've even put a note on the front door so he knows he can just walk in, we're just here to love and protect him, that's all.
"We just love him so much, and miss him desperately. So many people, his family too, all love him very much and just want him home safe in our arms.
"It's the not knowing where he is, we just want our baby back.
"It's like we're in hell."
Susan said she is missing their family time together: "We always have dinner round the table together, all of us, every night.
"We watch countless films, we've always been a very, very close knit family."
Tom, who studies in Lancaster, is 5ft 11in tall and has short black hair.
He was last seen wearing a black Vans hoodie, black jeans, black Doc Martin shoes and was carrying a backpack.