Specialist divers join search for missing mum

Police say Gaynor Lord did not take her usual route home from work

Specialist divers have joined in the search for a missing woman whose belongings were found in a park close to a river.

Gaynor Lord, 55, was reported missing in Norwich after failing to return home from work on Friday afternoon.

Later that day her belongings, including clothing, jewellery and a mobile phone were found at "various locations" in Wensum Park and her coat was discovered in the water, Norfolk Constabulary said.

The "most likely scenario" was that the married mother-of-three had "entered the water", the force added.

A specialist dive time arrived at Wensum Park on Wednesday morning

Norwich's policing commander Supt Wes Hornigold said: "There's no evidence that Gaynor has come to harm.

"We've been liaising with the National Crime Agency who have given advice around specialist underwater dive teams and we're seeking assistance from forces with this capability."

Officers were seen putting up a gazebo on Wednesday morning

Police said CCTV showed Ms Lord leave Jarrolds department store in Norwich city centre, where she worked as a retail assistant for Bullards Gin, at about 14:45 GMT.

She was due to finish at 16:00 and was last seen walking along London Street towards the cathedral.

Later that day, her belongings were found in Wensum Park by a member of the public at about 20:00.

"We haven't been able to establish why she left early and her disappearance is out of character so we are naturally concerned for her welfare," Supt Hornigold added.

Wensum Park is about a mile (1.6 km) north of Norwich city centre

Wensum Park has been closed to the public since Saturday.

Since then, police, with the help of the fire service and coastguard, have been scouring the area looking for clues.

On Tuesday, Rosie Richards, a woman who lives nearby, said she saw a woman matching Ms Lord's description in the park at about 16:00 on Friday.

She said: "It's really upsetting... I'm just thinking of her friends and family, because she is a sort of similar age to my mum and that would be awful to be going through what they are going through right now.”

Police said Ms Lord's family was being supported by specialist officers.

Ms Lord is described as white, 5ft 6in (1.67m) tall and with blonde, shoulder-length hair in a bob.

When she was last seen she was wearing a white shirt, yellow tank top, large olive-coloured coat and a scarf, police said.