Family appeals over missing woman

Police patrolled the area to ask people if they had seen Mrs Wells

A family have appealed for help to find a 74-year-old grandmother who went missing from her home a week ago.

Joyce Wells was last seen by friends at her home in the Pebsham area of Bexhill, East Sussex. Extensive searches have been carried out nearby.

Police said there was no sign of a disturbance, her handbag was not taken and her car was left on the drive.

Her daughters said Mrs Wells was fit and healthy, and looking forward to a family Christmas.

Carole Cratherne and Nicky Gumbrell said they were desperate to know where their mother is.

Ms Gumbrell said: "Mum, just come come back, we all love you, the kids love you, just please come back."

'Familiar face'

Officers from Sussex Police patrolled the area on Saturday to ask people if they had seen Mrs Wells.

They said she was a familiar face in the area having brought up her family in the town.

Searches have already been carried out by Sussex Police specialist search unit, police search teams and the neighbourhood watch search teams from both East Sussex and West Downs.

Insp James Scott said: "Her disappearance is still a mystery to both police and Joyce's family and I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anyone fitting Joyce's description since Friday evening to contact police, as every potential bit of information is very important to assisting with the investigation."

They would not give up searching until Mrs Wells was found, he added.