A FRANTIC York woman today issued an emotional plea for her missing boyfriend to come home.

Dawn Harrison told the Evening Press that she and 25-year-old civil servant Peter Critchlow had been almost inseparable since they got together two years ago.

In a heartfelt message to her boyfriend, who lives in Markham Street, The Groves, she pleaded: "Please just contact me."

Peter vanished early on Saturday after a night drinking with pals in York.

Police launched a full-scale search for him yesterday as fears grew for his safety.

Today, the Evening Press issued posters highlighting the search for Peter.

Divers have scoured the River Foss and officers have distributed leaflets in and around The Groves area, but so far there has been no trace of Peter.

Dawn, 24, was visiting family in Sheffield when Peter disappeared after visiting the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, and Willow, a Chinese restaurant in Coney Street.

Today she revealed that family and friends had been joining in the search for Peter, whom she has known for six years since they first met at York St John College.

She said the police hunt could be extended to the Ouse, with sniffer dogs set to search woodland around the Heworth Green area, where Peter was last sighted. He has not gone missing before.

Dawn said: "I'm missing him terribly. I'm really worried about him falling in the river. If he'd hurt himself or been mugged, surely somebody would have found him by now."

She said her boyfriend was not depressed before he vanished. "He was quite cheerful when I last saw him on Wednesday. We arranged to meet on Sunday afternoon. This is so out of character."

On Thursday, Peter sent Dawn a text message saying: "I love you".

Dawn said in the hours leading to Peter's disappearance she received three "strange" text messages, which may not have been meant for her. One said 'Where are you?', another was blank and another, at 4pm, after which Peter's phone cut off, said: "In Willow. Come alone".

Police have traced that last call to Stonebow and will now search CCTV footage.

Dawn said she felt "helpless" as the search continued for her fun-loving boyfriend.

"I was in a real state when I first found out. Now I'm just trying to keep busy. It helps you stay positive," said Dawn, who lives at Dudley Street, only minutes away from her partner'shome.

Dawn, a Norwich Union customer services worker, said she and Peter - employed at the government pensions department, Monks Cross - had tickets to see Radiohead in Newcastle next weekend.

"Peter had been looking forward to that for months. I don't think he would have just gone away."

Peter's parents travelled to York on Sunday but have now returned to their Northampton farm.

Sgt Dave Kirby, leading the search, said officers were today checking Mr Critchlow's mobile phone and bank records.

Door-to-door inquiries would also be carried out in and around The Groves area.

Sgt Kirby said: "We searched a large section of the River Foss yesterday but to no avail. This is still a missing person inquiry."

Updated: 10:44 Tuesday, November 18, 2003