A missing man's heartbroken parents have revealed how their search for him continues to be a part of their daily lives.

Anthony Stammers disappeared from his home in Mile End Road, Colchester, on May 27, 2012.

Despite his disappearance sparking a wide-scale police search and public appeals for information, there have been no significant leads.

His parents firmly believe Anthony, who is now 33, is still alive.

Mr Stammers said: "Wherever we can, when we go away, if we have a shorter break we take the opportunity to take posters with us because sadly we have no idea where Anthony is.

"An example of that was we went to Yorkshire a month or so ago and met up with friends and on the way back we stopped off at Doncaster, not because there was any particular reason but it is a large town.

"We went around various churches, the local library and people took our posters.

"That's the sort of thing we continue to do.

"If we take a trip to London we go to an area we haven't been before and once again the routine is similar, we go to churches, soup runs etc.

"It is a continuous process - we try to take a positive opportunity out of a negative. If we do this there is a chance this might be picked up by someone who might know something or even better, by Anthony himself."

The couple have even taken posters with them on breaks to European cities including Berlin.

CCTV has been fitted to the front of their home and an App linked to Mrs Stammers' mobile phone tells her someone has called at her front door.

It gave Mrs Stammers great comfort when the couple went to Canada last year - the farthest trip they have made since Anthony went missing.

But the couple still have no hunch as to where Anthony, a former St Benedict's School pupil, could be.

Over the years they have also visited Wales, Bristol and Brighton, leaving posters of Anthony and visiting homeless centres and hostels too.

For a long time they thought London was the most feasible place he could be due to its proximity to home and its size, making it easier to go unnoticed.

Anthony attended university there and had a number of friends there.

But they admitted they have no idea.

"There are so many questions, that is the trouble, you are in limbo, there are so many questions that cannot be answered.

"They just go around and around in your head, there is nothing you can do."

The couple heaped praise on Essex Police who have kept Anthony's case open and the Missing People charity for its support and appeals for information.

Concerns were first raised when Anthony did not attend his grandfather’s funeral on May 28, 2012.

Anthony, who had previously been treated for depression, was last seen on May 27 at 10am when he told his mum he was going to meet a couple of friends in London.

He said he might not return home that night. He texted her an hour later to ask if she could make sure his black trousers were ready for his grandfather Arthur’s funeral the next day.

However, Anthony did not meet his friends or attend the funeral at Colchester Crematorium.

Anthony is white, 5ft 10ins, of medium build and had short dark hair when he disappeared.

Directly appealing to Anthony, Mrs Stammers added: "We love him so much and he is missed very much still.

"If he could just get in touch with us to let us know he is alright."

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101. Alternatively call Missing People on 116 000.