Parents of woman who vanished on footpath say police 'don't think she was taken'
The parents of a woman who has gone missing have revealed what police told them about their daughter in the latest update.
Nicola Bulley, 45, vanished five days ago (January 27) on a footpath by the River Wyre in Lancashire while out walking her dog.
Nicola's phone, which was still connected to a work call, was found on a bench nearby the footpath - but the woman herself was nowhere to be seen.
Her parents, Ernest, 73, and Dot, 72, have since revealed their fears that something awful may have happened to their daughter.
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With worries over whether or not Nicola had been 'taken', Ernest and Dot have said they will 'never stop looking for her'.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ernest explained how he had asked a local sergeant if there was 'any chance of her being taken', to which she responded: "I don't think that's the case."
The father reported that he then asked the sergeant: "How can you know that?", based on just how secluded the area she went missing in is.
"It's such an isolated area," Ernest continued, "the only way that has happened is if it was someone who knew her.
"We just dread to think we will never see her again, if the worst came to the worst and she was never found, how will we deal with that for the rest of our lives."
Mother Dot also revealed just how difficult the situation has been for her, explaining that even though the police were working '24 hours a day', it still gives her sleepless nights.
"You wake in the night and you can't get back off to sleep," she said.
Nicola's phone was found by a passer-by who also found her dog, a springer spaniel named Willow.
Remaining anonymous, the woman reported: "There was a mobile phone on the bench and there was also something between the bench and the river so I went and looked, and it was a dog harness."
She added: "The dog looked worried so I tied her up and rushed home as I had to go to an appointment.
"I then went and spoke to my daughter-in-law and she immediately knew who the dog was, alerted the woman's partner and that was it - the police were on it."
Officers continue to search the area near Garstang Road in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.
Local police have revealed that their search has found no evidence of foul play and that they are wanting to keep an 'open mind' with the case.
Superintendent Sally Riley issued a statement on Bulley's disappearance: "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."
Nicola Bulley's family have also released a statement thanking the support of their community.
It reads: "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 inquiries."
Anybody with information can call 101, quoting log 473 of January 27, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Rhiannon Ingle