Family plea over missing aid worker

Ms Osborne was last seen on 18 April 2003

The parents of a Cumbrian aid worker missing on the island of Bali are to make a direct appeal for help in finding their daughter.

Kate Osborne, from Carlisle, has not been seen for more than a month.

The 35-year-old was working as a translator for several international aid agencies in the wake of the terror bombing on the island in October 2002.

Her parents contacted police in Cumbria after failing to hear from her.

The trial of the alleged field commander of the bombing began on Monday.

Imam Samudra is charged with plotting and organising the attacks, which killed more than 200 people - most of them foreign tourists.

Ms Osborne's disappearance is not currently being linked to terrorist actives.

Her car was found abandoned near Bali airport and her dog was left to fend for itself at home.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said Ms Osborne's parents Patrick and Liz, would be appearing at a press conference on Tuesday to make a direct appeal for help.

Detectives in Carlisle are working with Foreign Office officials and the Bali police to try to trace Ms Osborne.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "Unfortunately we have had no firm leads to go on.

"Kate's parents will be appearing at a press conference on Tuesday, where they will make an appeal themselves for help in finding her."

Ms Osborne's family have not heard from her since April and say her behaviour is completely out of character.

In an earlier statement Mr and Mrs Osborne: "She is a very family-orientated person, which makes it more worrying that it was her birthday on 13 May and it is inconceivable she would not have contacted us.

"We are extremely worried and alarmed about her safety."

The Cumbria Police spokesman added that no money had been withdrawn from Ms Osborne's bank account during the past few weeks.

He said although Ms Osborne's car was found near the airport, the authorities have no record of her leaving the country.

He added: "Kate had been spending as lot of time travelling around the world and she settled in Bali about four years ago.

"She worked selling time shares, teaching English and more recently as an interpreter for aid agencies following the Bali bombing.

"She was last seen leaving for a party in Bali on 18 April."