Police believe the person in this CCTV image could hold the key to solving the mystery disappearance of a Watford man.

Mujib Hakim, known locally as 'Hak', has not been seen since May 27 - more than seven weeks ago - and officers, who say they are desperate for information, have revealed they cannot be sure if he is still alive.

CCTV footage released this afternoon shows the last recorded sighting of the 40-year-old, who was captured in Market Street, at about 5pm, talking to a man whom he appears to know.

Family members told police the last time they saw Mr Hakim was 11.30pm that night, when he told them he was going out to buy cigarettes.

The man in the footage is described as white, wearing a long-sleeved white top, with three-quarter length dark trousers and white trainers.

The pair walk off together, out of the camera's view, and police say they are keen to speak to the man in the footage.

DI Justine Jenkins said: "We just don't know what has happened to Mr Hakim. It is a long period of time for him to be missing because, as far as we know, he has no means to support himself and usually takes medication every two weeks.

"It is a possibility that he may be dead - we can't rule anything out at the moment."

Mr Hakim, 40, is well known around Watford town centre, where he is regularly seen dancing or asking passers-by for cigarettes or money.

He was also known to have slept rough on occasions.

DI Jenkins said: "We have got nothing to suggest he has been involved in any altercations or incidents - he is never violent or aggressive in his approach.

"He would usually be seen by many members of the public and we are appealing for anyone with any details of his whereabouts, no matter how small, to come forward.

"We're not looking into any criminal offences at the moment - there are a number of possibilities and we want to try to narrow these down."

Officers began looking inside derelict buildings in the town earlier this month but have halted further searches until a new lead can be established.

Mr Hakim is described as an Asian man, medium build, 5ft 9ins tall, with shaved or very closely cropped hair.

DI Jenkins added: "Mr Hakim's family are very concerned, as any family would be. No stone has been left unturned but we're now desperately appealing for help from the public."

Anyone with information can contact DI Jenkins on the non-emergency police number 101.