Sarah Wellgreen: 200 join search for missing mum

About 200 people have joined the search for a mother of five who has been missing for nearly two weeks.

Sarah Wellgreen, 46, was last seen in the Bazes Shaw area of New Ash Green, near Meopham in Kent, on the evening of 9 October.

Ch Insp Tony Dyer said the search continued in the area over the weekend and thanked volunteers for their help.

The New Ash Green Village Association said volunteer searches "would continue until Sarah is found".

Last week a man was arrested and released on bail until 16 November pending further inquiries.

Kent Police said the disappearance was out-of-character and it was "increasingly concerned for her welfare".

In a statement posted on Facebook, the village association said 100 people joined the search on Saturday and about 200 on Sunday.

"Volunteers went out in groups looking at the roads, verges and woodland areas," it said, adding that two local residents were "currently searching other open spaces by drones".

It said items found by search teams have been checked by police and ruled out as being connected to Ms Wellgreen.

The group said the search was being co-ordinated by residents Sharon Brine and Shaun Fishenden, in conjunction with Kent Police.

Ms Brine and Mr Fishendon said: "We are very proud of how residents have pulled together. With the help of local people we have been able to cover a vast amount of open space in a very short amount of time."

In a new appeal for information, Ch Insp Tony Dyer said Ms Wellgreen had still not been in contact with her family and said she had left her car at home.

He added: "It is possible Sarah left home on foot or received a lift from somebody.

"My officers are conducting ongoing enquiries with residents and businesses which includes the examination of CCTV footage."

Despite several police appeals there has been no sign of Ms Wellgreen, who is believed to have connections outside of Kent, including Farnborough and Portsmouth.

She has been described as white, around 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build, with green eyes and straight brown hair.

Her son Lewis Burdett has appealed for help on social media to find his mother.

He wrote: "Please share this as much as you can. We are all worried about her and miss her."