Make-up artist family fear worst

Diane Chenery-Wickens has not been seen since 24 January

The brother of missing make-up artist Diane Chenery-Wickens has said the family are braced for bad news.

Russell Wickens, 50, said his sister's disappearance was totally out of character and causing extreme concern to their parents John and Joan.

Mrs Chenery-Wickens is thought to have travelled to London on 24 January, the day her husband reported her missing.

David Chenery-Wickens, 51, has been bailed after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

This is an extremely worrying time for her parents and family Russell Wickens

Mr Wickens' comments came at a press conference where Sussex Police revealed they had received "remarkably few calls" about the case.

Mr Wickens said: "We are hoping for the best but we are still preparing for the day we may get the news we may not want to hear.

"We have no idea where Diane is and need your help to find her.

"If anyone did have any contact with her during the week, please contact Sussex Police in complete confidence.

Her passport and driving licence were found at her home

"This is an extremely worrying time for her parents and family.

"It is uncharacteristic behaviour for Diane not to be in touch or to know that the uncertainty of her whereabouts might be causing concern and do nothing about it."

About 100 officers are investigating Mrs Chenery-Wickens' disappearance.

She is said to have travelled by train with her husband from East Grinstead to London to attend a meeting at the BBC.

But Sussex Police said CCTV footage viewed so far had failed to show any sign of her and said she did not attend the meeting.

Officers have combed areas of Ashdown Forest close to the couple's home in Duddleswell, near Uckfield. Their country property and its grounds have also been searched.

Det Ch Insp Steve Johns, who is leading the operation, said their grave concerns about her disappearance had been expressed to her family.

Account untouched

Mr Johns said: "Diane Chenery-Wickens will have been missing for three weeks from tomorrow. In that time we have made extensive inquiries.

"We are in close liaison with her family, have spoken with friends and colleagues, searched her home and specific sites in Sussex and have appealed to the general public and anyone who may have seen or been in contact with her before she disappeared.

"We have had remarkably few calls."

According to police her passport and driving licence were found at her home along with other personal belongings.

Since she vanished there has been no activity on her mobile phone and her bank accounts have not been touched.

Bafta-nominated Mrs Chenery-Wickens has worked for more than 20 years on some of television's best-known shows, including the League of Gentleman, Casualty, Pride and Prejudice and Dead Ringers.