Police are contacting friends of Gillian Merrick (45) in the East Grinstead area of Sussex – 128 miles from her home in Oundle, from where she disappeared on the evening of January 1.

The Merrick family – Gillian, her husband, Nick and two children – had lived in Forest Row, a village near East Grinstead, in East Sussex, about three years ago.

Police have been asking her friends and acquaintances in East Sussex to check if they have seen her or have any information that could be helpful in the investigation.

Now, Northamptonshire police are asking anyone in East Sussex who may not have been contacted, but may have seen Mrs Merrick or have any information about her that may help to find her, to get in touch.

Mrs Merrick was last seen at her home at about 11pm on New Year's Day.

She is thought to have left the house on foot, wearing a beige jacket, red scarf and red gloves.

She is 5ft 6ins tall with straight, brown collar length hair.

Meanwhile, searches of rivers, lakes and countryside near Oundle are continuing, with her family and colleagues at Peterborough firm Black and Veatch joining in.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Cox, who is leading the investigation into the disappearance, said: "We are following up every possible line of inquiry that may lead us to Gillian and we would like to hear from anyone who knows her from her time in East Sussex and may be able to shed light on her whereabouts."

Colleagues at the company where Mr and Mrs Merrick both work were given time off work to help look for her.

Communications manager Malcolm Hallsworth, at Black and Veatch, which is based in Thorpe Wood, said: "We are very concerned about what has happened and our thoughts are with the family at this time.

"We are doing all that we can to support them."

Anyone with information is asked to call Northamptonshire police on 08453 700700.