An appeal for information about a missing North-East woman may be taken abroad after her car was discovered at an airport in the region.

Jennifer Forbes has not been seen by family and friends for 11 days (if Tuesday) and has not been in contact since last Monday, July 8.

She had been due to fly out from Newcastle Airport to the Dominican Republic to meet her husband, last Wednesday, but failed to make the flight.

However, when police gained entry to her Darlington home, they found her tickets for the flight still there, but her passport, luggage and car were missing.

Now, after the green r-registered Toyota Starlet was found in one of the airport's long stay car parks at the weekend, security camera footage is being examined to establish that she was driving the vehicle.

Although this may take some time, as the car could have been parked there at any time in the space of a week, police say this could lead to checks of closed circuit cameras inside the airport terminals.

This may establish which flight, if any, she took.

Whether police then take their appeal abroad depends on the results of these initial lines of inquiry. Another option may be to allow Mrs Forbes, 41, from Dublin Street, to return to the country herself.

Sergeant Steve Steen, of Darlington police, said: "It seems reasonable to assume Mrs Forbes left the car at the airport and caught a different flight from the one she had booked on, but as far as we know she hasn't spoken to family or friends since last Monday, so we remain concerned for her."

Mrs Forbes' husband is from the Dominican Republic and lives there.

Sgt Steen said: "All we are looking for is to make sure she's fit and well."

Anybody with information about Mrs Forbes's whereabouts should contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.