POLICE are appealing for help in finding a 62 year old woman who they believe went missing after setting off for a walk from Buckden car park.

Kathryn Summersgill left her Renault Clio in the car park at 9.25am on Friday last week before, it is believed, heading off for a walk.

Ms Summersgill, who recently moved to the area from Worcester and who has connections with Ilkley, is known to be a keen walker and would take three main routes from Buckden.

She was reported missing on Monday by friends and following the recent weather conditions and falling temperatures, police are becoming increasingly concerned about her whereabouts.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

"It’s understood that Kathryn is a keen walker and is known to visit the Yorkshire Dales regularly, so has a good knowledge of the local area. However with the recent weather and temperatures, we are becoming increasing concerned for her safety."

Ms Summersgill is known to take three main routes from Buckden - to Cray Gill, Yockenthwaite and Langstrothdale; to Redmire Woods, along the River Wharfe to Starbotton, and through Rakes Wood to the lead mine at Buckden Gill.

Police are currently running searches and are appealing to residents or walkers who may have been in the area on Friday or over the weekend, who may have seen Ms Summersgill walking alone, to contact them on 101 and speak to the force control room, quoting incident number 12160211085.