Missing woman 'with man in pub'

A pub landlady described Fran Rosser as smart and softly-spoken

Police searching for a woman not seen for four days say her disappearance is completely out of character.

Detectives have appealed for information on Fran Rosser, 60, who was last spotted at the Fox and Hounds pub in Bridgend on Saturday night.

The landlady of the pub said she believes she saw Ms Rosser, of Ton Pentre, Rhondda, talking with a man she was thought to have been meeting.

Police have been searching woodland near the pub and have arrested a man.

The alarm was raised when Ms Rosser, known as Fran, failed to go home or to work and her red Fiat Bravo car was found parked at the pub.

Landlady Debbie McCarran said Ms Rosser was very smart and softly spoken, and had sat in the bar near the fruit machine on a busy night in the pub.

Police have searched woodlands near the Fox and Hounds pub

"I think she came in and sat down on her own," said Ms McCarran.

"She was with a gentleman but I am not sure who the gentleman was, I didn't really see him.

"I didn't see her leaving but they did leave, they must have left early-ish."

Around 25 police officers along with mountain rescue teams aided by a force helicopter have searched the area behind the pub, which features a river, the Celtic trail and Ogmore Valley Cycleway.

They also spoke to staff and customers who were at the pub on Saturday night.

Ch Supt Jeff Farrar of South Wales Police said they know she was planning to meet someone on Saturday, although they were unsure if it was the same person as the man they were holding for questioning.

It is completely out of character and obviously her family is extremely worried Ch Supt Jeff Farrar

Mr Farrar said concern was growing for Ms Rosser and appealed to the public for information.

"We have had no sightings of her since. She hasn't turned up for work on Monday morning," he said.

"It is completely out of character and obviously her family is extremely worried.

"When people go missing we look at the potential vulnerabilities and the fact that Fran has not gone missing before we do ratch it up and make sure that we get a lot of staff looking at it.

"If anyone knows where she is, if anyone has any information at all however small or inconsequential they think it is, it could really help us and allow us to find her safe and well."

She is white, with shoulder-length blonde hair, of slim build with blue eyes.

She is thought to have been wearing a black and white, spotted top, black cardigan, calf length black skirt and black shoes, and was carrying a black clutch bag with a silver buckle.

Anyone with information can call the incident room in Bridgend on 01656 306 099 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.