A key witness has been found in the search for a missing woman who vanished last Friday (27 January) while walking her dog.
Mum-of-two Nicola Bulley, 45, was last seen by a member of the public at 9:15am on Friday walking next to the River Wyre off Garstang Road, in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.
Lancashire Police said on Tuesday that they were looking to speak to an elderly dog walker who was seen in the area around that time on Friday morning.
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Come the evening, police found the man who is 'currently being spoken to', according to a statement.
Ms Bulley's mobile phone was found on a bench near where she was last seen and was still connected to a work call.
He springer spaniel named Willow was also found loose between the River Wyre and the bench.
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Supt Sally Riley of Lancashire Police said: “We remain extremely concerned for Nicola and we continue to do everything we can to try and find her and to provide some answers for her family who are obviously beside themselves with worry.
"I must stress at this time that this remains a missing person inquiry and at this time there is nothing to suggest any third-party involvement in Nicola’s disappearance.
"We appreciate there is also a great deal of concern in the local community, and we appreciate people want to help.
"However, parts of the riverbank are treacherous, and we would ask that nobody puts themselves in danger and that the police and partner agencies’ efforts to find Nicola are not compromised."
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Ms Bulley's family have also provided an updated statement, thanking everyone for helping in the search for their loved one.
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They said: "We have been overwhelmed by the support from our community and would like to thank everyone for their ongoing efforts to help us find Nicola.
"The girls are desperate to have their mummy back home safe with them and your ongoing efforts have provided comfort to them whilst we await news on Nicola.
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"We ask for anyone who thinks they may have any information that may help the police find Nicola to please come forward and help them with their enquiries."
Police have described Ms Bulley as white, 5ft 3ins tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair.
She speaks with an Essex accent and was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood, black jeans and olive-green ankle wellies.
Police added: "Anybody who has seen Nicola, or has information about where she might be, is asked to call 101, quoting log 565 of January 30th. For immediate sightings please call 999."
Featured Image Credit: Nicola Bulley/Facebook/PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo