THE search for a missing mother-of-five intensified last night - a week after she was last seen.

Jacqueline Swift, 44, disappeared after leaving home to buy cigarettes from a shop near her Hartlepool home on Easter Monday.

Yesterday, police questioned people visiting the shop in Raby Road and made house-to-house inquiries near Mrs Swift's home, in Furness Street.

Mrs Swift's husband, John, also 44, has made several appeals for her to come home.

Acting Detective Inspector Tony Riordan, who is leading the search, said: "It has been a week since Mrs Swift was last seen and we are becoming increasingly worried.

"We hope that by carrying out this form of inquiry, we will jog people's memories and are hoping someone may be able to give us some new information.

"Hopefully, someone who was in the shop last Monday night may have returned last night and can help us out. There is no rhyme or reason why people disappear, but the longer it goes on, the more concerned we become."

Mr Swift told The Northern Echo last week he was baffled by her disappearance.

She was last seen wearing a navy coat, white T-shirt, blue jeans and blue training shoes. She is slim, with blue eyes and mousey, bobbed hair, has a light complexion and was wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hartlepool Police, on (01642) 302126.