THE photograph of a Cricklewood dad who has not been seen for five years will feature in a new campaign to find missing people across London.

Lee Sheppard, 26, went missing on January 31, 2003, after leaving the European Metal Recycling plant, in Willesden, to walk home in a snow storm after a late shift.

Just hours before his disappearance, his wife, Juliet, had told him she was pregnant with their first son.

His photo will appear on the side of refuse trucks operated by the City and Borough firm, in a campaign launched by the charity Missing People.

The organisation's Do It For Missing Children Campaign will publicise the faces of 12 missing Londoners, including seven children.

The images will be displayed on trucks until Missing Children's Day, in May next year.

Chief executive of the charity, Paul Tuohy, said: "The charity is urging individuals and companies to help us raise £1.4 million - that's £10 for every child reported missing in the UK each year.

"We are also asking companies across the UK to help us publicise missing people like Lee."

The campaign will feature 64 missing people from across the UK, using posters, videos on the website YouTube and images printed onto disposable coffee cups.

Mr Sheppard, who disappeared without warning and has never seen his son, Jaden, is one of 230,000 people who go missing each year. The New Zealander was wearing a green beanie hat, Nike tracksuit bottoms, a multi-coloured rugby shirt and black trainers on the day he disappeared.

His brother-in-law, Lance Porteous, said: "I thought it was a good idea if it will raise Lee's profile again, if there's any chance it will jog any memories."

"I hope that someone will see his face and say that looks familiar'. I'm hoping it will trigger something.

"After five years it can be seen as a long-shot, but anything might help."

Anyone with information about Mr Sheppard can contact Missing People's 24-hour confidential Freefone service on 0500 700 700 or email seensomeone@missing people.org.uk