Hazel Nairn: No sign of missing woman after anniversary river search

Hazel is pictured here with daughter Anneka and granddaughter Georgia

A fresh river search on the anniversary of a woman being swept away in flooding in Aberdeenshire found no trace of her.

Hazel Nairn, 71, was last seen at the River Don, near Monymusk, in November last year while out with her dog.

Relatives think her body could still be caught somewhere along the river.

A specialist underwater team initially searched in October and returned at the weekend. However high water levels made it difficult for them to search the areas identified as priorities.

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The river continues for 31 miles from Ms Nairn's last known location, until it meets the sea.

The search has been focusing on areas such as bends, where a body might be more likely to be trapped.

The body of Hazel's dog was found in the days after she went missing.

Phil Jones said efforts would continue

Beneath the Surface is a Lancashire-based voluntary underwater search and recovery dive team.

Team leader Phil Jones described weekend river levels as "problematic" but they managed to search a number of sections.

"It's been difficult, hard work and slow going but we will continue to persevere," he said.

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"This weekend's efforts haven't located any sign of Hazel so planning will now begin for our next search dates."

He said the team want to give the family answers and closure.

Ms Nairn's daughter Anneka had described the anniversary as "a very sad weekend for us all".