A Oswaldtwistle construction company, where missing teenager Jay Slater is learning his trade, has called out “cruel” people who have sent negative emails to the business.

PH Build Group, where Jay the apprentice bricklayer works, put out a tribute post to the 19-year-old this week.

The post said Jay is “liked by all” adding that he is a “valued member of the team” who “needs to be back home where he belongs”.

The post said: “Jay has been with us since he left school and is liked by all. He's a valued member of our team and we stand by him.

“The picture being painted of him is just not true. The fact is, he's a 19-year-old lad missing in a foreign country. He needs to be back home where he belongs.

"Come on Jay we are all praying for you.”

The company, which had to remove a previous post due to “negative comments and conspiracy theories”, later issued an update about the “cruel” emails they had since received.

A spokesperson for PH Build Group said: “This is just one of many emails sent to us along with some great reviews.

“These people are trying to ruin people's lives and businesses sat behind a screen looking for attention.

“Everyone may have their own theories and feelings but to publicly post them knowing you are going hurt people is just cruel.

“Jay's family shouldn't have to endure this. The only thing that should matter right now is getting a 19-year-old son back to his family where he belongs.”

Mark Williams-Thomas, a former police officer, held a press conference in Tenerife on Wednesday (June 26).

He said he has spoken with Jay’s family. He says if Jay is not found then third-party involvement in his disappearance could be considered.

Jay has not been seen since Monday, June 17. At the time of writing, there haven’t been any major breakthroughs in the search for the missing Oswaldtwistle teenager.