British woman dies 'in attack by dogs in Greece'

  • Published
Celia HollingworthImage source, Wiltshire Times
Image caption,
Celia Hollingworth was reported missing on Thursday

A British woman has died in northern Greece having apparently been attacked by a pack of stray dogs.

Celia Hollingworth was reported missing on Thursday after visiting an archaeological site near Maroneia.

Reports say the 64-year-old, from Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, used her phone to try to contact relatives in the UK while she was being attacked.

Wiltshire Police said it was in contact with Greek police regarding formal identification of the body.

The force is supporting Ms Hollingworth's family, a spokesman added.

Media caption,

Celia Hollingworth can be seen on CCTV in a shop hours before her death

The recently retired University of Bristol staff member took a taxi to a local archaeological site on Thursday, according to Greek police.

It is thought she tried to walk back along a coastal path when she was attacked by dogs. Her body was found on Friday.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said it was in contact with Greek police and "was also providing consular assistance to her family".

Image caption,
Ms Hollingworth's body was found near Maroneia in northern Greece

Meanwhile, her neighbours in Bradford-on-Avon have spoken of their shock.

Andrew Otto, who lives opposite her, said: "Of all the people here she was the one who was going out of her way to make friends. She was a lovely person, really."

A spokeswoman for Bath Against Cuts, one of the campaign groups Ms Hollingworth was involved in, said it was "very sad news".

"She was always optimistic and spent time talking to people about the issues affecting their lives and more often than not giving them courage to fight back," she said.

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