THE MYSTERY of a young man who went missing from his Sandown home has never been solved — and the Missing Person appeal remains live 40 years on.

Jeffrey Allen, a former Sandown High School student, disappeared in 1982 when he was 17.

Although the current appeal states he went missing on May 10, 1982, press articles and the police appeal from the time suggest he left home in the August.

The discrepancy may have been because he had left home previously, for several weeks at a time, so the police appeal came a few months afterwards, in the November.

In November 1982, the County Press ran an article saying police were concerned he still had not been found.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cutting from 1982.Cutting from 1982.

Jeffrey had left the family home in Yaverland Close without telling anyone where he was going, although he mentioned something to his sister about going camping on the mainland.

Family search for answers into Jeffrey Allen's disappearance

In 2005, his family appealed for more information. His mother, Rosemary Allen, told the County Press in an interview that there had been rumours Jeffrey might have died in a fire at Blackpan Farm, Lake, but police quashed the speculation after a examination of the debris.

She said shortly before he went missing, they had had a row over the phone, when some harsh things were said.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cutting from 2005.Cutting from 2005.

The charity Missing People, has produced a photo of what Jeffrey might look like as an older man, aged around 50.

What are missing Jeffrey Allen's distinctive features?

Jeffrey had a distinctive tattoo on his left upper arm, with a picture of a swallow and the name Lee. He also had a one-inch scar on his chin.

How can people help the Missing People appeal?

You can read articles about Jeffrey Allen on the County Press archive at www.countypress.co.uk/archive

To join the appeal for Jeffrey, visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/jeffreyallen

Anyone with information can call the charity on 116000, free, 24hrs and confidential.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Also remembering Damien Nettles

Also missing from the Isle of Wight is Damien Nettles, who disappeared from Cowes at the age of 16 in 1996.

His disappearance has been well-documented over the years and his mother Valerie has written a book about it.

Anyone with any information about Damien can call police on 101 or anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.