Fears were growing last night for a missing teenager after a huge search of the River Ouse in York and the area where he was last seen.

Jordan Sullivan, 19, of Acomb was spotted by a woman walking her dog at about 9.30am on Tuesday as he ran along a dirt track off Acaster Lane towards the river. His clothes were found nearby.

His distraught father, Gary, and family members, including his uncle, Graham, spent much of the day yesterday helping with the search until it was called off as darkness fell.

Police teams, and mountain rescue search parties scoured the river banks for a second day as police divers searched the river around the old railway bridge, just north of York Marina, in Naburn.

A police helicopter was also used to scour the surrounding countryside. The search was expected to resume again today.

There appeared to be no clues for any motive for the popular youngster’s disappearance.

Insp Jo Brooksbank said Mr Sullivan was understood to have removed his clothes on the Naburn side of the river before crossing the bridge towards Bishopthorpe.

She said: “With it being the main river through York it’s quite a dangerous area to be in. The riverside itself is very slippy and muddy; they are quite slippy conditions down there. The search teams have found it difficult to search some of the areas.

“There’s no explanation for what might have happened. We are keeping an open mind. The family are being kept informed, they are getting regular updates.”

Mr Sullivan, who works as a travel consultant at Quartz Travel, worked on Monday, but did not arrive for his shift on Tuesday.

His boss Paul Smith, who has described Mr Sullivan as a “rising superstar” said his colleagues were desperately worried about his disappearance.

He said: “The police are doing all they can under the current circumstances. It’s horrendous. He is a part of our family. The support we have had has been phenomenal and it’s testament to Jordan and his family. He is a smashing lad and we need to find him. We are in disbelief.”

Mr Sullivan’s clothes have been recovered along with his wallet from near to the river.

On Tuesday, a mountain rescue team from RAF Leeming also searched the scene.

Mr Sullivan is described as white, about 5ft 9ins tall with a slim build and short dark hair, and he has a tattoo of a crucifix running between his shoulder blades.

PC Alex Dobson, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I am urging anyone who may have seen a naked man in the area to contact the police immediately. I am also appealing to anyone who may have seen any unusual activity near the River Ouse. Jordan, if you see or hear this appeal, please get in touch as I need to ensure that you are safe and well.”

Anyone who can help to locate Jordan, or who has any information which may help the investigation, should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101 and select option 1.