THE brother of a missing North-East woman has made a heartfelt appeal for her to get in touch with him.

Michael Menzies pleaded with his younger sister, Jacqueline Swift, to contact him.

Mrs Swift, 44, went missing on Easter Monday after going to buy cigarettes from a shop only yards from her home, in Furness Street, Hartlepool.

Mr Menzies, 49, also from Hartlepool, said: "All I want is for her to get in touch, and even if she is not ready to come home, just to let me know she is okay.

"I am just up and down at the moment not knowing what is going on. I am really missing her and it is destroying my mother.

"I would urge her to just call me."

Mr Menzies' mother, Mary, 73, lives in Scotland and he says the disappearance of Mrs Swift has broken her heart.

"Being so far away from the family and not knowing what is going on is really upsetting my mother," said Mr Menzies.

"All she wants is Jacqueline to make contact."

Police are anxious to speak to anyone who was in the Londis shop, in Raby Road, on the evening of Easter Monday.

Acting Detective Inspector Tony Riordan said: "We are trying to trace everyone who was in the shop between 8pm and 9.30pm that night.

"Mrs Swift was inside for several minutes and we need to speak to those who were there and who may have spoken to her, or saw where she headed when she left the shop.

"As time goes on we are becoming increasingly concerned for her whereabouts."

Anyone with information is asked to contact (01642) 302126.