Church holds vigil for woman, 71, missing in River Don
- Published
Monymusk Parish Church held a candlelight vigil
A church vigil has been held for a woman feared swept away in Friday's floods in Aberdeenshire.
Searches took place for the woman - who has been named as 71-year-old Hazel Nairn - all weekend, and were continuing on Monday.
It followed reports that she got into difficulty at the River Don in the Monymusk area.
The candlelight vigil was held at Monymusk Parish Church on Sunday evening.
Rev Euan Glen said it was a chance for local people to pray and light a candle at a difficult time.
The church posted on its Facebook page on Sunday evening: "Thank you to all who came to our candlelight vigil tonight offering Hope for Hazel.
"The community turned out in force showing great love of Hazel and her family."
Insp Andrew Meikleham confirmed that searches were continuing.
He said: "We are continuing to carry out searches and inquiries to trace 71-year-old Hazel Nairn, who was last seen in the water at the River Don, near to Monymusk.
"The searches are being carried out in and around the area where Hazel was last seen. Local officers and search advisors are being assisted by a number of specialist resources including the Dive and Marine Unit, Air Support Unit and police dogs."
The Christmas lights switch on at Monymusk has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
The River Don burst its banks
An Amber weather warning lasted for much of Friday, with severe rainfall bringing flooding to parts of north east Scotland.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), said the event was similar in magnitude to 2016's Storm Frank, with record high river flows which are now receding.
Police Scotland urged members of the public to stay away from flooded areas.