A family court judge has made an urgent appeal for help finding a missing teenage boy from Croydon.

Judge Claire Jakens says she is "extremely worried" about the safety of Sean Karunanayake, who turned 16 this week.

She said police were searching for the youngster, who is thought to be in the London area, and urged anyone with information about him to raise the alarm immediately.

The judge is overseeing family court proceedings centred on Sean.

She made an appeal on Thursday following the latest hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Sean has links to Croydon and social services bosses at Croydon Council have responsibilities for his welfare.

Judge Jakens did not spell the reasons for her concern but said she was "extremely worried" about the teenager's "safety and welfare".

Sean had disappeared from where he was living about two weeks ago, she said.

The judge said Sean, who has English and Sri Lankan heritage, was 5 feet tall, slim, and had short black hair.

She said he was a fan of online games - particularly Fortnite.

Proceedings centred on Sean have been staged at private hearings.

But Judge Jakens has lifted a bar which would normally prevent Sean being named in media reports of the case in the hope that publicity will help find him.