POLICE searching for missing Duns student Duncan Sim in Fife have launched an appeal after a man was seen 'standing in the water' on the night he disappeared.

The 19-year-old was last seen outside the Madras Rugby Club in St Andrews at 11.15pm on Wednesday, March 14.

A man, described as around 6ft tall and with dark-coloured hair, was reported to have been seen standing in the water near Kinkell Braes at around 3am on Thursday, March 15.

Officers are eager to trace the person in question, and anyone who may have seen him, as they work to establish if the sighting may be connected to their ongoing investigation.

Chief Inspector Steven Hamilton, local area commander for North East Fife, said: “We're working to establish if this sighting may be connected to Duncan's disappearance and are asking for the public's help as part of this.

"Our inquiries to date do not support Duncan having travelled to the East Sands area, however, we are committed to pursuing all possible lines of enquiry in order to trace him.

“I would urge anyone who may have been in the East Sands area around 3am on Thursday, March 15 and fits this description, or who saw anyone matching this description, to come forward as soon as possible.

“It has now been almost two weeks since Duncan was last seen and extensive enquiries have been undertaken throughout St Andrews to establish his whereabouts.

“This has included analysing CCTV footage and speaking to over 200 people to gather information.

“Again, I would appeal to the public in the St Andrews area to think back to the late hours of Wednesday (March 14) and early hours of Thursday (March 15) and contact us if they may have seen Duncan, or a man matching his description.

“Similarly, anyone with information relevant to our inquiry is urged to get in contact immediately.”

Those with information about Duncan's disappearance can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2987 of March 15.