Nicola Bulley: Huge police search for missing dog walker
Image source, Police handout
Image caption,Nicola Bulley has been missing since she took her dog for a walk on Friday morning
A phone belonging to a woman who went missing while walking her dog was found on a bench near the riverbank where she disappeared, police have said.
Nicola Bulley, from Inskip, was last seen walking on a footpath by the river off Garstang Road, in St Michael's on Wyre, at about 09:15 GMT on 27 January.
A major search was launched for the 45-year-old involving police, the fire service and mountain rescue teams.
The force said officers were "extremely concerned" about her.
Supt Sally Riley from Lancashire Police said: "We appeal for anyone who may have been driving through the village of St Michael's last Friday morning... or who may have dashcam footage that could be of use to us, or people who may have been dog-walking in the area or on the tow path to come forward."
Asked about lines of inquiry, she said: "The police are keeping a really open mind about what could have happened but we do believe that the likelihood is that Nicola has gone missing and this is not a crime inquiry, but we are keeping an open mind."
Ms Bulley is described as white, 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair.
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,Specialist search officers are looking on the River Wyre for any sign of Ms Bulley
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.
She went missing while walking her dog, a brown-coloured spaniel, which was later found close to where she was last seen.
Officers said Ms Bulley knows the area well and walks there regularly.
As well as Inskip and St Michael's, Ms Bulley also has links to Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire Police said.
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,Detectives say they are "extremely concerned" as they search for Ms Bulley
Searches have been carried out by Lancashire Police using the police helicopter, drones and police dogs over the weekend, with support from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue team and the North West Underwater Search Team.
Earlier Ch Insp Chris Barton said the force was "extremely concerned".
He said: "Firstly, if anybody saw her on Friday morning and has not yet been spoken to by police, or if anybody has any other information about where she might be, please get in touch with us straight away.
"We are following a number of lines of inquiry and are keeping an open mind at this stage about what has occurred.
"We appreciate there is a great deal of concern in the local area and that people want to help, however we would ask that nobody puts themselves in any danger.
"If anybody has any questions or concerns they are welcome to speak to officers in the area."
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