THE family of missing Wirral man Robbie Crofts have said they “will not give up hope” in an emotional plea for his safe return.

The 21-year-old, who was last seen on Sunday night, was the boyfriend of drowned teenager Hayley Holmes.

The couple had spent the afternoon together at the Mathew Street Festival and later went to New Brighton seafront.

Hayley’s body was found washed up on the beach the following morning by a dog-walker but Robbie remains missing.

Now his parents Robert and Ellen Ann and siblings Lorraine, Chellie, Kimmie and Brian are desperate for the dad-of-one to come home.

Speaking at a press conference today at Merseyside Police headquarters, Mr and Mrs Crofts said they felt “helpless” and begged him to return for the sake of his daughter Eva.

Mrs Crofts said: “Robbie five days you have been missing, five days of wondering where you are, how you are, it’s been the longest five days ever. We feel helpless not knowing where to start looking for you, longing to help you and not being able to.

"Yes Robbie a long five days, we need you to come home, son.

"We won’t give up on you, Robbie, we love and miss you so very much. We feel you are out there somewhere, you need to let us know you are safe, we are all worried sick about you.

"All your friends, a great bunch of lads, love and miss you too. They are gathering everyday at Perch Rock until your safe return and are praying for you.

"What about little Eva, your precious little daughter? You are so proud of her and your hopes for her future. She is missing you so very much please come home, Robbie.

"If someone is helping you they must realise you will get all the help you need when you come home. If you are wandering around then someone needs to notice you, we need to keep you in the media so everyone will know what you look like.

Robbie’s parents, who are from New Brighton, also thanked police and lifeguards for their work during the search for their son.

They paid tribute to the thousands of people who have left heartfelt messages on Facebook.

Robbie’s older sisters and brother also made an appeal for him to come home and spoke of two-year-old Eva’s need to have her “daddy” back.

They said: "Our heartfelt, deepest respects go to Hayley, her family and her friends and our thoughts and prayers are with them too.

"Eva needs her Daddy and she is missing you so much but Ellie is giving her kisses and cuddles from you all of the time and telling her how much you love her.

"It was your little nephew’s 11th birthday yesterday. The family should have been together. This is just wrong. You should be here. So hurry up and get home now so we can throw you a massive party.

"Come home Bob, we love and miss you very much. We are not giving up. We will keep searching. We need you home.”

Detectives are continuing the search for Robbie and are keeping an “open mind.”

They are urging anyone who might have seen Robbie and Hayley on Sunday night to come forward.

DCI Ian Hassell said: "We don’t know if Robbie has been in the water and we are also carrying out searches on land.

"We know the nearby Travel Lodge was fully booked that night and there was a wedding in the area. There were a lot of people around and we would ask anyone who might have seen them to contact us.”

Robbie is described as being of stocky build and around 5ft 8ins tall, with blue eyes and short black hair Anyone with information can call 0151 777 2265.