A WIDESPREAD search is under way for a mother who went missing from her friend's house earlier this week.

Sarah Ann Linklater, 35, has not been seen since she left her friend's home in Durham City, at 1.30pm on Monday.

Her green Nissan Sunny was found on Wednesday, near Pittington, east of Durham, but an initial search of the area involving an aircraft from the police's North-East support unit failed to find her.

Yesterday, two dozen specialists from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue and Teesside Fell Rescue joined police for a more detailed search of a three square mile area including a disused quarry and woodlands.

Also present were mounted police from Cleveland Constabulary.

Ms Linklater lives with her partner and young daughter at Cumberland Road, Middlesbrough.

Police have described her disappearance as totally out of character, and said her partner and daughter were extremely anxious for her to contact them.

Ms Linklater is described as 5ft 6in, with green eyes, brown hair in a bob, and wearing metal rimmed glasses, a navy jacket, black and white shirt, dark jeans, and fawn, hiker- style trainers.

Anyone with information is asked contact Cleveland police on (01642) 303126.