Missing Jay Slater's 'terrified' gran speaks for the first time as desperate search for teenager continues in Tenerife

The gran of missing Tenerife teenager Jay Slater has spoken for the first time as the desperate search for her beloved grandson continues. June Duncan spoke exclusively to LancsLive in her first interview since her grandson disappeared in Tenerife on Monday.

Jay, 19, was reported missing after he failed to return to the apartment he was sharing with friends. His mum Debbie Duncan and her eldest son Zak flew out to Tenerife after police knocked on the door of her semi-detached home in Oswaldtwistle in the early hours of Tuesday.

After an officer told Debbie 'I'd fly out there now if I was you', she hurriedly packed a bag and got on the first flight out of Manchester.

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Speaking from her chalet on the outskirts of Clitheroe, Lancashire, June described how her family had been trying to shield her from the speculation surrounding Jay's disappearance.

She revealed that her son Glen - Debbie's brother - flew out to Tenerife yesterday (Wednesday) to support his sister. Debbie has spoken of how she is 'beside herself' as she prays for good news about her youngest son.

"I don't read newspapers but it's been on the news on telly so much I can't escape it," June, 77, said. "I've not spoken to Debbie much but other family members are keeping me updated.

"My son came to see me on Tuesday and he flew out there yesterday. He's gone with [Jay's] cousin to try and help but I don't know what they can do.

"I wouldn't be able to go out there, and I'm not sure what help I'd be, I just keep hoping for good news. I can't even begin to imagine how Debbie is. She rang me and said he'd gone missing. She didn't tell me at first, I think she was trying not to worry me, but then as time went on... "

The desperate search continues in Tenerife. The walk from Rural de Teno park, his last known location, to the south of the Spanish island, would take around 11 hours on foot.

Search teams refocused their efforts on Thursday in the north of Tenerife, where Rural de Teno park is located, after discounting a potential lead in the south of the island. Jay was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and a black bag.

June's neighbours in Shireburne Park, where she has lived for the last eight years, have rallied round her. One told LancsLive: "It's absolutely terrible what's happened. She's such a lovely woman."

June described Jay, who she used to look after when he was a baby, as 'a lovely lad'. She added: "It's all just been such a blur. "The longer it goes on the more worrying it is. I'm just getting through each day at a time.

"I watched all that on the news about [TV doctor] Michael Mosley and it's just so similar. It's hot out there in Tenerife and I just can't bear to think about what's happened to Jay, I'm terrified."

June, who is being kept updated on any major developments in the search for Jay, admitted that she has been trying to stop herself from 'fearing the worst'.

"You've got to remain positive," she said. "I'm trying not to think about it too much but I can't help it. I just feel so powerless."