Chief Inspector Laurie Stewart of Grampian Police admits they are baffled by the disappearance (2' 05")

Her father Hector McInnes, other relatives, police officers and members of the public searched the countryside around Elgin in north-east Scotland.

Mrs Fraser, 33, has not been seen since Tuesday morning when she waved her children Jamie, 10, and Natalie, five, off to school.

Police were alerted that night, and conducted a fruitless search of the area, using helicopters from nearby RAF Lossiemouth, mountain rescue teams, search dogs and police divers.

Sudden disappearance

Last month Mrs Fraser's estranged husband Nat appeared in court in the town accused of the attempted murder of his wife, and is on bail. Police have said he has co-operated fully with their inquiries.

Chief Inspector Laurie Stewart said: "This is a missing person's inquiry and will remain that way until we get information suggesting otherwise. The vast majority of missing people turn up and we are very hopeful that Arlene will.

"There has been no trace of her since she disappeared on Tuesday morning. She did not return to pick up her children who were being looked after by a friend after school. There is nothing to indicate that she has decided to go away."

The missing woman's mother, Isabell Thompson, has made an emotional appeal for her daughter to make contact.

She said: "We are all trying to be positive but it's hard. We can only hope that we will find her."