CONCERN is growing for a women who has been missing for several days.

Julie Sams, 54, is a long-term resident of the Goodall Mental Unit in Bishop Auckland. She has not been seen since she walked out of the unit on Sunday afternoon.

Police say they are becoming increasingly concerned about the well-being of Mrs Sams, who takes regular medication for mood swings.

She was not carrying any money when she left the unit on the Woodhouse Close estate.

Sergeant Ian Gatiss, from Bishop Auckland police, said: "Mrs Sams has been at the home for several months and staff say this is completely out of character for her.

"They are also not aware of any change in her personality recently and cannot explain where she may have gone.

"If anyone knows where she may be we would ask them to contact us straight away."

Mrs Sams regularly leaves the grounds of the home on Walker Drive to go shopping or walking.

When she failed to return on Sunday, staff raised the alarm.

Checks with her former husband and family revealed no clues as to where she might be.

Police searched the cemetery in Cockfield, Bishop Auckland, thinking she might have gone to visit her father's grave.

Mrs Sams is described as about 5ft 6in, with shoulder-length mousy coloured hair.

On the day she left the home she was wearing brown trousers and a red anorak.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 603566.