Essex Police makes direct appeal to missing couple with newborn baby

An image believed to show Constance Marten at the Port of Harwich in Essex was issued by police

Community police officers say they have visited every hotel across an entire district in the search for a missing couple and their newborn baby.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon left their vehicle when it broke down on the M61 near Bolton on Thursday.

A CCTV image, believed to be of Ms Marten at Harwich Port in Essex, was released on Saturday.

Essex Police said it had checked every hotel and B&B in the Colchester district on Monday night.

The force took over the investigation earlier that day and said there were a "number of confirmed sightings" from across the city.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon have been missing since their car broke down on the M61 in Greater Manchester

Det Ch Insp Rob Huddleston said officers wanted to check the pair and their baby were "OK", because medical professionals had not assessed the baby since it was born last week.

"We are really concerned for both the baby and Constance," he told BBC Essex.

"I would really appeal to you to come forward.

"We want to make sure your baby has the best start in life; is fit and healthy; that Constance is fit and healthy; and that Mark is OK too."

Mr Huddleston said the force communicated with public transport providers, CCTV operators and taxi companies as part of the search.