Gaia Pope: Clothes found in search for missing teenager

Police have cordoned off an area of land north of the coast path

Detectives investigating the disappearance of teenager Gaia Pope say women's clothing has been found near a coastal path in Dorset.

It is not clear who the clothes belong to, but Dorset Police said Gaia's family have been informed.

Gaia, 19, was last seen nine days ago by family friend Rosemary Dinch, in Swanage, Dorset.

An area near Durlston Country Park has been cordoned off after a member of the public found the clothes.

Senior investigating officer Neil Devoto, said: "Following the discovery of these items of clothing, a full and thorough search will now take place in the field and surrounding area.

"We have seized the clothing and investigations will now be carried out to identify who they belong to."

Ms Dinch, 71, and her 19-year-old grandson, Nathan Elsey, were arrested on suspicion of murdering Ms Pope on Monday.

The pair were released on Tuesday while inquiries continue.

Gaia's father Richard Sutherland said earlier that the search for his missing daughter had been the "toughest thing" to go through.

CCTV images

He praised the local community for helping in the search for Gaia, last seen in Morrison Road at 16:00 GMT on 7 November.

Mr Sutherland told the BBC he and her family "know she'll be found".

Earlier this week, police issued CCTV images of Gaia, who has severe epilepsy, while she was running on Morrison Road and at a petrol station in the town.

Mr Sutherland told the BBC the search by volunteers and police through the streets of the seaside town had been "heart warming".

Gaia Pope was last seen in Swanage on 7 November

"It's been beautiful, it keeps us going. To feel that strength of everyone helping us - every bit of help is gratefully received and she's worth every bit of it," he said.

"We have every hope - every minute that goes by we still have hope.

"I can't describe it - you can imagine, it's just about the toughest thing we can go through."

CCTV shows Gaia at a petrol station on the afternoon she went missing

The CCTV images of Gaia show her in the petrol station at St Michael's Garage, on Valley Road, Swanage where she went in to buy an ice cream at about 14:55 on the day she disappeared.

Police said she was being driven between Langton Matravers and Swanage by a family member when they stopped off for fuel.

Mr Devoto said: "We believe Gaia was wearing the same grey and white woven leggings and white trainers, but was last seen in a red checked shirt with white buttons.

"When she disappeared she was not wearing the black jacket pictured, which was recovered at an address in Manor Gardens."

The force said on Tuesday it believed the teenager was still in the Swanage area and it remained "hopeful" it would find her alive.

Gaia's family previously said it was thought she did not have her epilepsy medication on her.

She is described as 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build and with long, mousey blonde hair.

Police put up a missing person notice for Ms Pope in Swanage