Libby Squire: Mum's thanks in hunt for missing Hull student

Libby Squire was last seen getting into a taxi on Thursday night

The mother of missing Libby Squire has thanked people helping to search for the Hull University student as the police hunt enters its third day.

Police said there were a number of leads they were pursuing over the 21-year-old's disappearance on Thursday.

She was last seen getting into a taxi near the Welly Club music venue in Beverley Road at about 23:00 GMT.

Posting on Facebook, her mum Lisa Squire said her daughter was "obviously loved by so many people".

She said: "A massive thank you to all the fantastic students who turned out to search for Libby Squire."

Her mum said it had given them "great comfort" to know how much her daughter was thought of.

Search teams are scouring the area where the 21-year-old was last seen

Police have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in Hull

The family said Miss Squire's disappearance was "very out of character" and they were "broken without her".

More than 70 police officers have been out making inquiries, including knocking door-to-door around the area where the student vanished.

About 200 students have also been involved in the search of the university premises, organised by student Ryan Tweddell.

Speaking earlier, Det Supt Simon Gawthorpe said: "There are a number of leads we are following up and I want to offer my thanks to everyone who has come forward with information, your help has been invaluable."

Miss Squire was reported missing after getting into a taxi outside the Welly Club at about 23:00 on Thursday, and is believed to have got out of the vehicle a short while later near where she lived in Wellesley Avenue.

Humberside Police said she was then helped by a motorist who pulled over after spotting her sat on a bench in the street, with the force adding the man in question had since contacted them and "really helped out" with the search.

The student was last spotted on CCTV in Beverley Road

Miss Squire was last spotted on CCTV in Beverley Road, near to the junction with Haworth Street, at about 23:45 on Thursday.

The officer appealed for anyone who was on Haworth Street between 23:30 and 00:30 GMT on the night she disappeared to get in touch.

He said house to house inquiries were continuing in the area she was last seen and specialist teams and the coastguard were searching around the River Hull.

Mr Tweddell said: "It was great to see so many students turn out to support the search for Libby.

"We can't believe the community came out in the numbers they did, it just shows how much people care.

"Libby is a loving, down-to-earth, typical, normal student. She is hardworking, helps everyone who needs it and is a lovely, brilliant girl."

Police have asked people to check their sheds and gardens

In a statement, the University of Hull said it was "deeply concerned" about the missing student.

A spokesman said: "We are working closely with Humberside Police to support their search for Libby and offering support to Libby's family at this distressing time."

Fire crews have been searching a frozen pond near where she was last seen

Libby Squire got in a taxi outside The Welly club

Police urged people living in the area to check their gardens and outbuildings in case Miss Squire had taken shelter.

Anyone who was driving around the area at the time and has dashcam footage has also been asked to come forward.

Miss Squire, who is 5ft 7in tall and has long dark brown hair, had been wearing a black leather jacket, black long-sleeved top and a black denim skirt with lace.