Missing West Denton lad Kieron Barnes found safe and well as family thank those who helped with search

Kieron Barnes has been found safe and well after being missing for three days.

The 23-year-old Kieron Barnes left his West Denton home at around 5.30pm on Saturday night to meet his cousin at Digital in Newcastle city centre, but failed to come back.

Kieron's worried family reported him missing to police soon after and spent hours searching around Newcastle and Gateshead themselves in a bid to find him. And yesterday he was found in South Gosforth after a family friend discovered where he was.

Kieron's auntie, Sophie Burke, has now thanked all those who helped in the search.

She said: "His mam, Helen, is so grateful and thankful to everyone for their none stop support and constant help. If it wasn't for all of you we would still be out looking for him."

Kieron lives with his mum Helen Burke, 43, and her partner in West Denton.

Sophie told the Chronicle Kieron lost his phone the day before he went missing so his cousin, who he had planned to meet at the rave, was not able to get in touch with him.

When Kieron failed to return home that night his family began looking for him and posted his picture on Facebook. Sophie, 29, has also thanked everyone who shared her posts and the Chronicle's story.