POLICE searching for missing Leanne Chambers last night said it was not definite that she is in the river they have been searching.

Detectives, who have made a renewed appeal for information after a two-week search, say they have broadened the scope of their inquiry.

The Northern Echo: Search for Leanne Chambers.

Ms Chambers, 30, disappeared from the home she shares with Steven Crossland in Chester-le-Street, on Tuesday, February 23.

A search was launched and her coat and purse were later found in the River Wear, where it runs through the town’s Riverside Park. Her mobile phone was recovered on a park bench nearby.

Detective Constable Lindsey Cowen said last night: “We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the riverside area who may have seen her walking around there on the night. We need to jog people’s memories.”

But she added: “Just because we have concentrated our search there does not necessarily mean she is there.

“It is not a closed case that she is the river. We are keeping an open mind. We are not ruling out any possibilities.”

Det Con Cowen said: “We are widening our appeal. The path system along the river is several miles long, so we want to expand the appeal.”

She said police were hoping to speak to “boy-racers” who meet at the riverside.

Mr Crossland, 35, said his partner was being treated for depression at the time she disappeared, but had been worried that a sicknote excusing her from work was coming to an end. She disappeared from their home in The Anchorage, in Chester-le-Street, while he was sleeping.

Det Con Cowen said a person resembling Ms Chambers had been picked up on CCTV going down the bank from her home at 10.35pm.

She was at the Red Lion pub in the town’s Front Street until 10.50pm and was last spotted at about that time in car park at Low Chare.

Detective Inspector Kevin Langan said: “It is two weeks since she has gone missing and there are concerns for her safety.

“The inquiry has been continuing since she has gone missing and is ongoing – until we trace her.”

Two groups have been set up on Facebook, attracting 3,000 members and 2,600 members respectively.

Ms Chambers,who is from from Shildon, County Durham, and used to work for The Northern Echo as a sales representative, is described as 5ft 7in, of slim to medium build and was wearing her hair in a dark brown bob. She was wearing a grey hooded top, black leggings and dark Ugg boots.

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0345-60-60-365.