Rescue teams join in search for missing woman

Mountain rescue teams were today drafted in as the search for a 63-year-old woman from a village near Ludlow was stepped up.

Alethea Taylor, of Orleton, has not been seen since about 8.30am on Thursday when her husband left home for work. There was no sign of her when he returned at 4pm.

Over the weekend hundreds of villagers joined police in searching for Mrs Taylor in the village and surrounding area.

• See pictures from the search in our gallery to your right

And today members of Longtown Mountain Rescue and their dogs joined the effort. West Mercia Police is also using a dog handler and the force helicopter to search the area, and the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) is also involved checking streams and other water courses.

Detective Sergeant Andy Bennett, from West Mercia Police, said concern was increasing for Mrs Taylor as each day passed.

He added: "The villagers are like a small army and we have all been very impressed with their organisation and dedication to the task.

"We are most grateful for their assistance and they are doing a really good job.

"While we have searched the countryside directly around the village it is a vast rural area and we would appeal to farmers and other landowners both in the immediate area and further afield to check outbuildings in case Mrs Taylor has taken shelter in one of them.

"We believe she is vulnerable and there are concerns about her mental state.

"Alethea is described as being white, about 5ft 7 ins tall, and as having short dark but slightly greying hair. When last seen she was wearing her night clothes but we still do not know what she was wearing when she left home."

Chris Ammonds, a force spokesman, said lots of background investigations into Mrs Taylor were being carried out to support the appeal and praised local people for their efforts.

Anyone with information should call police on 0300 333 3000 or 101.

See also:

• Police search launched over missing Ludlow woman