EARLIER: AN appeal has been made to find former North East resident Andrew Startin, best known for impersonating football figure Sam Newman.

Victorian police issued the plea on Sunday following concerns raised by his family.

Startin, 42, was last seen at the Nigretta Falls carpark at Hamilton in south-west Victoria on June 26.

Fears are held for the welfare of Startin due to a medical condition, with his disappearance out of character.

IN OTHER NEWS:

He may have been travelling interstate in his silver Honda Accord with number plate SDGB99.

Startin, who hails from Benalla and now lives in the Melbourne suburb of Maribyrnong, is described as about 180cm tall, thin and has brown hair and eyes.

Those with news of his whereabouts are urged to phone Cheltenham police station on (03) 9583 9767.

Startin, a former Moyhu footballer, gained attention in the 1990s for his impersonations of Newman and other football identities.

He was recently a doorman at high-end Melbourne hotel, the Langham.