Spanish police beg for volunteers to join large-scale search for Jay Slater

In a statement, police said: "The Guardia Civil is preparing and coordinating a large search to find the young British man missing in the village of Masca.

"We are requesting collaboration of all volunteer associations: Civil Protection, Fire Department etc, and including private expert volunteers in the difficult search terrain.

"Due to the disappearance since the afternoon/night of last June 17 of the 19-year-old British man in the area of Masca, part of the municipality of Buenavista del Norte, the Guardia Civil is about to undertake a massive search operation."

They added: "Considering that this is a difficult, rocky terrain, with many steep inclines and cliffs, footpaths and roads, we request the help of all those volunteer associations that may help in the operation we intend to lead and coordinate."

The force said that the search will begin on June 29 at 9am, and volunteers will be searching roads, footpaths, and cliffs in the village.

"Volunteers need to contact the Guardia Civil on 696434031, before 20:00 on Friday, June 28."

The 19-year-old flew from Lancashire to the Canary Islands for a music festival but disappeared after he went to stay with people he met during a night out on June 16.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Jay Slater: Police fear teen 'may never be found' as outcome looks 'bleak': 'Very difficult to survive'
• Jay Slater mystery: Search for missing teen to focus on new area
• Jay Slater: Internet sleuths scramble to Tenerife to join search for missing teen in echo of Nicola Bulley case

During his final call to his friend Lucy Law at 8am local time last Monday, the 19-year-old said his phone had only one per cent battery, he was thirsty and he did not know where he was.

His last location showed he was in the Rural de Teno Park - an area popular among hikers. He has not been seen since.

His family has revealed that they are planning to "withdraw some of the money raised" from his GoFundMe page to fund the Guardia Civil's operations.

In an update to the site published yesterday, Debbie Duncan, his mother, informed the public of her plans to "withdraw part of the (£36,250) funds" - which now stands at over £40,000.

She wrote: "First, I would like to thank everyone for your support, kind messages, and good wishes.

"We are currently working with GoFundMe to withdraw part of the funds, which are being safely held.

"I wanted to share that these funds will be used to support the mountain rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay."

Speaking to GB News, Travel Writer Joe Cawley said that the family using some of the almost £40,000 raised means they "need more people on the ground" to help police.

When asked if there are any developments on the claims made by the Mayor of "sightings" of Slater by Spanish locals, Cawley said there has been "no other word" about them since the claim was first made.

Cawley explained: "I know the police are actually talking to people in Santiago del Teide, where some of the locals reported to the mayor that they'd seen Jay watching the euros.

"There's been no other word about that so far, but it has been investigated."