The mum of missing Oswaldtwistle teenager, Jay Slater, says his disappearance is “still a mystery” in a heartbreaking update.

Debbie Duncan posted an update to the official GoFundMe page and said a team of experts is set to fly in from the Netherlands, to help with the search.

This is after Spanish police gave up the land search after 12 days.

Debbie said: “Jay's family would like to thank you all for your continued support at this difficult time.

“Almost four weeks on and we are still no further in finding our beautiful boy. He was only four days into his holiday and his disappearance still remains a mystery.

“As you all know the Guardia Civil gave up the land search after 12 days. We have been actively working with search and rescue teams and we can now confirm that we have a team of experts flying in over the weekend from the Netherlands, who will carry on the search with their specialist dogs.

“We are only able to fund this with the generosity of all those who donated.”

Paul Arnott, whose TikTok account is called @downtherapids, has been helping to look for the 19-year-old in Tenerife and documenting the process on his social media channels.

Debbie said: “We are still here in Tenerife searching daily with the help of volunteers and local hiking groups.

“Paul is also still working tirelessly, which we are so grateful for and send him so much love and respect.”

Debbie said the negativity around Jay’s disappearance is “adding to the heartbreak of the unknown”.

She said: “Jay is just a normal hardworking young lad from Lancashire who is very loved by all who know him. He is about to finish his three-year apprenticeship this month. Although we don't have any answers to his disappearance, we obviously have to remain positive.

“Please continue to pray for him and our family. There is a lot of negativity unfortunately and this is adding to the heartbreak of the unknown. So I would please just say send the love and positive thoughts to Jay, our beautiful son.”

Rachel Hargreaves, a family friend, is helping run Facebook page Jay Slater Missing which has been joined by more than 614,000 people.

She said claims that Jay’s phone had been found is false adding that she has received some “disgusting” comments.

Rachel, from Accrington, said: “No information is true unless it’s come of me or Debbie.

“Sadly people are spreading false information. Please don’t listen to any of it unless is from us.

“No phone of Jay’s has been found. This is false information. Please only listen to information from myself or Debbie.”

Rachel also slammed “armchair detectives” who have been spreading false information.

Posting to Facebook she said: “Some of the comments [people are trying to post] in this group are absolutely disgusting. I am lost for words at this point.

“I don’t understand how some of these people are actual parents themselves. The fact they are posting such vile things about a young boy says so much about the person you really are.

“It is shameful. People really haven’t any better to do than disrespect a family whose son is missing. You take pleasure in hurting and making fun of such a devastating time

“I really hope the people who are doing this don’t ever find themselves in this awful painful time because I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

“Any information will always come from the family not some random person who doesn’t even know Jay or his family, [not] armchair detectives.  

“To all the love and support it doesn’t go unrecognised we appreciate all your kind words and help too.”