Search for missing woman extended

Police said Gillian Merrick's disappearance was out of character

The search for a mother-of-two from Northamptonshire missing since New Year's Day has been extended to a part of Sussex where she used to live.

A massive search effort has been carried out around the Oundle home of Gillian Merrick but no trace of the 45-year-old has been found.

Northamptonshire Police have now appealed to people in East Sussex to report any possible sightings.

Mrs Merrick lived in Forest Row, near East Grinstead until three years ago.

A police spokesman said officers were making enquiries in Sussex about the possibility she could have returned there.

Officers have been contacting Mrs Merrick's friends in East Sussex to check if they have seen her or have any information about her whereabouts.

Extensive search

Det Ch Insp Andy Cox, who is leading the investigation into the disappearance, said: "We are following up every possible line of enquiry that may lead us to Gillian and we would like to hear from anyone who knows her from her time in East Sussex and may be able to shed light on her whereabouts."

Mrs Merrick, who is recovering from a back operation, was last seen at her home late on 1 January.

She had been with her husband, Nick, and their teenage son and daughter before she disappeared.

She is thought to have left the house on foot, wearing a beige jacket, red scarf and red gloves.

She is 5ft 6in tall (1.67m) with straight brown collar length hair.

Police and about 50 volunteers, including some of Mrs Merrick's workmates, have carried out extensive searches in and around Oundle.

Divers and the police helicopter have also been used in the search.