The Oxfordshire student who has been missing in Canada for nearly a month searched the internet for hiking trails before he disappeared, it has emerged.

Tom Billings, 22, from Boars Hill, was reported missing after he failed to return to his Vancouver accommodation.

Vancouver Police constable Brian Montague said The North Shore and the Baden Powell Trail were among places he searched before he went missing.

“It is only one of hundreds of trails and can quickly lead into the back country if you’re not careful,” he said.

“It is where we think Tom Billings went, but we have not confirmed that.”

He said police had received some tips, but nothing that allowed them to conduct another focused search like the one on December 4.