A SCOTTISH backpacker who went missing in Australia without money or a passport to get home has been found safe.

The family of Jonathan Ansell, from Jordanhill in Glasgow, took to social media yesterday to say that he was alive and well.

His mother Judith had flown to Melbourne to help search for her son two weeks after her last contact with him came in a phone call which ended abruptly when it was cut off.

The 26-year-old had been travelling in Australia for more than a year but stopped regularly contacting his family around Christmas.

During the short call to his mother last month he said that he was sleeping rough in Melbourne and had no way home.

Police in Australia had been carrying out a search for the missing Scot, and his family had visited hostels and homeless centres in the area.

His mother and cousin Kirsten Ferguson also made a televised appeal on Tuesday where they spoke of the their "nightmare" over Jonathan's disappearance.

She said: "I said he should go to the police and not be embarrassed and everybody loves him."

They created the symbol - #findjonathan - on Twitter to make it easier for people to provide information.

Jonathan's sister Kate posted a message online yesterday saying: "Just had the best news ever, my mum has found Jonathan! He is tucking into a burger as we speak. Thanks so much to everyone who has helped out."

Ms Ferguson also took to Twitter to inform the public of the news. She tweeted: "Jonathan has been found! Thanks so so much to everyone who helped in the search!"

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are aware a British national reported missing in Australia has now been found. We are continuing to provide consular assistance to the family."