Police search for missing woman in Ambleside continues

Gwenda Merriot, 60, of Wilton near Marlborough, Wiltshire, was last seen at the Rydal Road car park by family members at 11.30am, wearing a blue and black top, brown hiking boots and carrying a blue rucksack.

She is described as a keen fell walker, 5ft 6in tall, of slight build and with short, spiky, salt and pepper hair.

Sgt Mark Lyon-Maris from Windermere Police Station said: "At the minute we have no precise information as to where Gwenda may have gone.

"She could have gone up to the fells or she could have got on a bus, train or other transport to another location."

Sgt Lyon-Maris said Gwenda's son was the last person to see her on Tuesday, but believed her to be leaving the area to return home to Wilton.

However, her car remains at the Rydal Road car park and she has not been seen since.

Sgt Lyon-Maris added: "Obviously we have concerns for her again and we want to ensure she is safe and well."

The Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue team was alerted and a five man team, along with trained rescue dogs carried out an eight hour search.

Team leader Nick Owen said: "We can't do anything more at the minute but the matter is in the hands of the police, who are trying to establish where she might be.

"We used trained dogs from Lancaster yesterday and looked in Rothay Park and around Ambleside.

"We checked access points around the town and there were no clues so we are not involved any more."

Mr Owen said there was an indication Gwenda had been in Rothay Park.

Gwenda Merriot was also subject of a mountain rescue last Sunday from Bow Fell when she was found by a group of fell walkers and was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and later released.

Anyone who has seen a woman matching Gwenda Merriot's description should contact officers on 0845 3300247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Local taxi and bus drivers are also asked to think back and to get in touch if they think they may have trasported her to another location.