Police are stepping up the search for a missing woman from Great Braxted.

Sheila Tarlton, 61, known by her middle name of Anne, is diabetic and police and volunteers, including family members, are today carrying out a search around the village.

She was last seen on Wednesday morning after visiting the village shop at 10am.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said Mrs Tarlton of Tiptree Road is diabetic and has suffered from depression.

Although she had not been depressed recently, she was due to fly abroad with her husband today and may be anxious, said the spokeswoman.

Mrs Tarlton is white, 5ft 7 inches tall, and slim with mid-brown short curly hair. She has hazel eyes and was wearing a white embroidered woolen top, grey leggings and a fawn-coloured coat. She is wearing a Medi-Alert bracelet and wedding ring.

She may have a pair of pink coloured horn-rimmed glasses with her.

The spokeswoman said any sightings of her should be reported to police immediately.

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