A MISSING woman’s phone has been found on a bench near to the spot where she vanished three days ago, police revealed.
Nicola Bulley’s dog was also found nearby almost an hour after the 45-year-old was reported missing.
3Nicola Bulley was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hoodCredit: PAShe was last seen on Friday morning on a path in Wyre, Lancashire, walking her brown cocker spaniel.
Searches have been ongoing over the weekend as police desperately hunt the dog walker.
Officers are said to be “extremely concerned” for her welfare.
They are appealing for anyone who saw Nicola on Friday morning to get in touch.
Police revealed they are keeping an “open mind” but believe the disappearance is “not a crime inquiry”.
Chief Inspector Chris Barton, of Lancashire Police, said: “Nicola has now been missing for two days and we are extremely concerned about her.
“Firstly, if anybody saw her on Friday morning and has not yet been spoken to by police, or if anybody has any other information about where she might be, please get in touch with us straight away.
“Inquiries are very much ongoing and we have a team of detectives working tirelessly to establish the circumstances around her disappearance, in addition to a large team of police officers, partner agency and volunteer groups on the ground searching the area around where she was last seen.
“We are following a number of lines of inquiry and are keeping an open mind at this stage about what has occurred.
“We appreciate there is a great deal of concern in the local area and that people want to help, however we would ask that nobody puts themselves in any danger.
“If anybody has any questions or concerns they are welcome to speak to officers in the area.”
Nicola was last seen walking in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, at around 9.15am on Friday.
Despite an extensive hunt all weekend, only her dog and phone have been found.
The pet was discovered close to where Nicola was last seen off Garstang Road.
Nicola has been described as white, 5ft 3in tall with light-brown shoulder-length hair.
She was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood, black jeans and olive green ankle wellies with her hair in a ponytail.
Nicola, from nearby village Inskip, has an Essex accent and has links to the Thornton-Cleveleys area near Blackpool.
Police dive teams, drones, search dogs, helicopters and mountain rescue volunteers have all been deployed as part of the search.
Anybody who has seen Nicola, or has information about where she might be, is asked to call 101, quoting log 473 of January 27.
3Searches are ongoing for the missing dog walkerCredit: PA
3Police confirmed a phone and Nicola’s dog were found after she vanishedCredit: PA
Story Credit: thesun.co.uk