Hunt for missing dog-lover

Greta's son was on holiday

Police are appealing for help to find a retired lecturer who went missing after going out to look for her runaway dog.

Greta Verdin, 67, disappeared during the search for Zico, her son's labrador.

Although the pet found its way home, Mrs Verdin has not been seen since.

She was last seen at her home on Bardwell Road, Oxford, on 1 November at about 1830 GMT.

Detectives believe the dog, which the pensioner was looking after while her son Johnny was on holiday, broke loose from its lead.

Outsheds checked

Johnny came home to find her gone on 7 November.

Police frogmen have dredged the River Cherwell but failed to find Mrs Verdin's body.

Mrs Verdin is 5ft 4ins, frail and of slight build.

She has chin-length brown hair and was believed to be wearing a green-quilted jacket.

Detective Inspector Dermot Norridge, of Oxford CID, said: "We're asking residents in the north Oxford area, whose homes border on to the River Cherwell and the university parks, to check any outsheds, greenhouses and other outbuildings.

"It's possible that Greta attempted to search such places for Zico."