Eyewitness comes forward in missing woman search

Police say specialist officers are working with Ms Lord's family

An eyewitness has come forward in the search for a woman who has been missing for four days.

Gaynor Lord, 55, was last seen on London Street in Norwich city centre at about 14:35 GMT on Friday.

Norfolk Constabulary was focusing on underwater searches and said "there is a real possibility she has entered the water".

Rosie Richards, who lives nearby, said she saw a woman matching her description in Wensum Park at about 16:00 on Friday.

The search to find Gaynor Lord is now its fourth day

On the same day, some of Ms Lord's belongings, including clothing, jewellery and a mobile phone, were discovered by a member of the public in various locations in the park, which is close to the River Wensum.

Her coat was found in the water.

Rosie Richards believes she saw a woman matching the description of 55-year-old Gaynor Lord

Ms Richards 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.

"It's really upsetting."

On Monday, about 10 police vehicles, a police drone and two search and rescue rigid inflatable boats (ribs) were seen scouring the area.

Officers are continuing to review CCTV and, on Tuesday, officers turned their attention to the water.

Wensum Park has been closed to members of the public since Saturday

In an interview with the BBC, Norwich policing commander Supt Wes Hornigold said: "Our working hypothesis at the moment is that Gaynor is in the water, that's what we're working towards.

"It's a missing person inquiry, there's no evidence at the moment to suggest that there's any third party involvement here.

"This is a significant operation in terms of searching both the park and the waterways... searching water is quite challenging.

"As of tomorrow we will have on-site specialist dive teams to support that operation."

Norfolk Constabulary are now focusing on underwater searches

Supt Hornigold said it was "important to emphasise the role the public can play" and urged any eyewitnesses to get in touch.

Timeline of events

• Friday 14:35 Gaynor Lord is last seen on London Street in Norwich city centre, heading towards the cathedral

• Friday around 16:00 An eyewitness says they saw a woman matching the description of Ms Lord in Wensum Park

• Friday evening She is reported missing after failing to return home from work. Her belongings, including clothing and jewellery, were found by a member of the public in Wensum Park

• Sunday Police announce Wensum Park is closed after more belongings, including jewellery, are found

• Monday Specialist search teams use a drone and sonar equipment to scour the area but nothing is found

• Tuesday Police turn their attention to underwater searches

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.

Police say they will remain at the park until they have "exhausted their search efforts"

"This is clearly a distressing time for her family and we continue to keep them updated of ongoing work in this case," Supt Hornigold added.

Wensum Park remained closed to the public.