Concerns grow for missing woman

Mandy Franks is believed to have gone on to a nightclub

A 40-year-old woman who went missing five days ago after a night out may have "come to harm", police said.

Mandy Franks, of Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury, went missing on Saturday after a night out in the town.

Det Ch Insp Jon Groves said more than 50 officers were involved in the search and a major inquiry had begun.

Police want to speak to anyone who spoke to her in the Reflex club, in particular a man with a ponytail and another man she may have left with.

Ms Franks was reported missing late on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Officers said they were "fairly certain" she walked from Montgomery's Tower pub to the Reflex club on Saturday evening or in the early hours of Sunday.

They are looking for confirmation that she was at the nightclub as the last positive sighting of her was at about 2215 BST.

'Several leads'

Mr Groves said officers were becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Ms Franks, who is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall with black, shoulder-length, straight hair.

She was wearing dark jeans, a black vest top and a thin black jacket when last seen.

"It is possible she has come to harm - we just do not know at this stage," Mr Groves said.

"We are appealing for information which might help the investigation and have several leads which we hope the public can help us with."

Ms Franks had earlier been in the Frank Cafe Bar in Frankwell, Shrewsbury, with her partner.

Police said she left the bar, probably alone, at about 2200 BST on Saturday and walked along Welsh Bridge towards Montgomery's Tower pub.

He said that a woman, believed to be Mandy, was approached by the man with blond hair in a ponytail as she was going to the dance floor, probably between 0100 BST and 0200 BST on Sunday.

The man is described as white, with a prominent nose and aged in his mid to late 20s, and about 5ft 10ins tall.

Police said a second man is believed to have approached her shortly before 0200 BST and she may have left the club with him.

He is described as white, aged 30 to 35, of stocky build, about 5ft 10ins tall with dark brown hair.