POLICE are becoming "increasingly concerned" for the welfare of a pensioner who has been missing for nearly three weeks.

Hannah Phillips, 76, has been missing from her home in Rayleigh since Friday, April 13. A handbag containing her belongings were found on a beach at Broadway, in Jaywick, Clacton, ten days later.

Despite hundreds of leaflets containing her details and her photograph being circulated by police and her family, there have been no confirmed sightings.

It is also known that Hannah had links with Kent and Dagenham and police are now widening their appeal.

Det Insp Anne Cameron, of Essex Police, said: "No one has seen or heard from Hannah for more than two weeks now and we are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.

"We are urging Hannah or anyone else who can help us locate her to contact police as soon as possible."

Mrs Phillips is white, around 5ft 2ins tall with collar-length grey hair and a pale complexion. She wears glasses and could also be wearing a full-length beige trenchcoat.

Call 01268 775533 if you have seen her.