Two on-duty police officers last saw missing man Thomas Edwards after they dropped him off at a bus stop near the Outlet Village.

Mr Edwards, 32, from Derry Hill, near Calne, was seen leaving Rudis bar, in Regent Circus, Swindon, between 9.45pm and 10.15pm on Friday.

Wiltshire Police confirmed that Mr Edwards is believed to have been seen by two on-duty police officers at approximately 10.30pm on Friday evening walking along Church Place, Swindon.

The officers spoke with Mr Edwards, who stated he needed to get a bus home to Calne. The officers then gave him a lift to the bus stops outside the Outlet Village.

The officers patrolled the area again returning approximately 10 minutes later, and Mr Edwards was still at the same location waiting for the bus.

Wiltshire Police would like to hear from anyone in the location of Church Place or the Outlet Village between 10.20pm and 11pm on Friday immediately.

The last known phone signal from Mr Edwards’ phone was within the Chippenham area.

Throughout today police teams began searched areas of Chippenham and Studley Crossroads. The police helicopter was also in action for a number of hours.

Colleagues from Wiltshire Search and Rescue (WILSAR) are assisting police with the search efforts.

At a special press conference at Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes this afternoon, sector head for Chippenham, Calne and Corsham Inspector Phil Staynings said officers were concentrating efforts on Derry Hill and Monkton Park in Chippenham, in the theory that Mr Edwards may have caught the bus and tried to walk home from Chippenham.

The enquiry, headed up by Detective Chief Inspector Matt Stone, has seen up to 100 officers work to trace Mr Edwards’ whereabouts through CCTV, telephony and detailed searches.

Inspector Staynings said police need to speak to four people who got on the 55a bus in the Penzance Drive area as soon as possible.

He said: "Due to ticket sales on the night, we know four people got on the bus in that area at around 11pm and they may be crucial to the enquiry.

"We are still trying to ascertain his route upon leaving Rudis and whether, once the officers dropped him at the bus stop, he did get on the bus.

"Stagecoach have been cooperative with us and we have spoken to the driver of the 55a but we need those four prior to come forward.

"Our searches have focused on Monkton Park and near his home in Derry Hill based on what his family have suggested might be his route if he were to walk home.

"His phone pinged the mast at 10.30pm Saturday but we have not recovered the phone.

"I must stress this is still a live missing persons enquiry and there is no suggestion of foul play at this stage. His family are incredibly concerned and we have appointed a family contact officer to keep them informed.

“We know that this is totally out of character and is obviously of great concern.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen Mr Edwards late on Friday evening or early on Saturday morning to come forward immediately. The smallest amount of information might prove crucial to this investigation.

“I would finally like to thank the public and the media for their assistance in this enquiry so far."

Mr Edwards is described as a white male, of thin build with short brown hair. He also has distinctive Ironman tattoos on his right leg and left arm which depict a red and white Austrian flag.

He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt with a grey logo on, skinny blue jeans which were turned up and red espadrilles with no socks.

Anyone with information should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.