THE police search for missing Helmsley woman Barbara Colling has moved to open land around the town.

Specially trained search officers yesterday concentrated their efforts on roads and footpaths from Newgate Bank, along the B1257, back towards Helmsley, and out to the Cleveland Way.

Mrs Colling was last seen walking along the B1257 near Abbotts Hag at about 9.30am on January 28. She is white, 5ft 2in tall, of medium build and she has medium-length blonde hair.

Inspector Andy Everitt, of Malton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We know that Barbara likes churches and likes to visit them, so I would ask people who either work in churches or are regular visitors to be especially vigilant at this time.”

She was last seen wearing a navy-blue jacket, blue trousers, a black woollen hat with ear-flaps and black boots.

She may have been carrying a black rucksack. Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option one – and pass information to the force control room.