The family of a man who disappeared near a clifftop after a party have joined efforts to try and find him.

Grant Ritchie, 20, was reported missing at 1am on Sunday after he disappeared beside cliffs near Cove Rangers football ground after walking home from a night out.

A major search and rescue operation, involving an RAF helicopter from Lossiemouth and Aberdeen's all-weather lifeboat, was launched at the weekend.

Mr Ritchie's family have joined the search for him on Monday morning.

His father, also Grant Ritchie, said: "It’s a very difficult time for the family and we are all very stressed out. We were out until the early hours of this morning out looking.

"It is completely out of character for Grant to go missing and we are just hoping that he has gone somewhere else and turns up.

"If anyone has heard anything at all after the time he went missing then please get in touch."

Mr Ritchie was with a group of friends who had gone to buy cigarettes after a party in Cove and decided to walk back over the clifftops. His girlfriend, Lisa Stephen, was also with the group.

His best friend Shaun Hanratty said: "He ran off to have a toilet and just disappeared. We don’t know if he fell over the edge or what has happened to him. Everyone is distraught.

"It’s hard to take as he is only 20 and has the rest of his life to live. Grant is always happy and cheerful and you will never meet a nicer guy. The only way to describe him is that he’s a legend."

A Facebook page has been set up by Grant’s family to help encourage more people to join the search.

Police have asked residents in the Cove and Doonies Farm's area and the general area between Cove and Torry to check any outhouses for Mr Ritchie.

He is described as being 5ft 7in, of slim build and has short, brown hair. He was wearing a light-grey, long-sleeved T-shirt with a white collar, blue jeans and black shoes.

Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Mr Ritchie should contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.