Concern for London firefighter missing in Lewes Published duration 23 December 2019

image copyright Family handout image caption The firefighter was "adamant" he would be home in the early hours of the morning, his partner said.

The partner of a firefighter who went missing on a work night out says his disappearance is "completely out of character".

Police in Sussex are "increasingly concerned" about Anthony Knott, who has been missing since Friday.

The 33-year-old, from Orpington was last seen at a pub in Lewes with a group of 12 London firefighters.

His partner Lucy Otto said: "The longer it goes on, the more worried we're getting."

Earlier, emergency crews began a search of the nearby River Ouse.

'I feel numb'

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, mother-of-four Ms Otto said: "I've been asked questions like 'Was he depressed?', but I can categorically say that he was in a happy mood.

"He loved his job, he loved his family, it was just simply a Christmas night out."

image copyright Eddie mitchell image caption The River Ouse is being search by the coastguard

Mr Knott was due home at 02:00 GMT on Saturday and Ms Otto said he was "very adamant" he would be home in time as she had to leave for work at 03:00.

The group were moving between various pubs, but he was last seen at 19:30 in The Lamb on Fisher Street.

Ms Otto said: "I just feel numb... it's very strange. It's the not knowing, it's terrible.

"It's quite a small town, so it's just strange that no-one's seen him."

image copyright Eddie mitchell image caption Emergency services converged at the local fire station before setting out on the search

Mr Knott, who is 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall, was wearing a black long-sleeve top, dark denim coat, dark denim jeans and black shoes.