A MAJOR police search has been launched for a former Blackheath teacher who disappeared from her Herefordshire home last Thursday.

Police said they were becoming increasingly concerned for Alethea Taylor who was last seen at around 8.30am when her husband left home for work. There was no sign of her when he returned at 4pm.

West Mercia Police teams, including dog handlers, have been scouring her home village of Orleton and surrounding countryside for the 63-year-old.

The force helicopter has been used and the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) members have been focusing on streams and other water courses.

Yesterday, the Longtown Mountain Rescue team also brought their dogs to help with the search.

In addition, hundreds of villagers, co-ordinated from the village hall, have also been out searching for Mrs Taylor since Friday, with other local people providing hot drinks and refreshments for the volunteers.

Former colleague at Blackheath Primary School Gail Walder spoke of the shock at hearing a television news report that she had gone missing.

“I just froze when I heard. She is a really lovely person and the kids loved her. I just hope they find her soon safe and well.”

Mrs Walder said her colleague had taught at the school for about 40 years, and lived next door to it for some time. She was also a pianist and played for all the school assemblies.

If she is not found by the weekend, Mrs Walder plans to travel to Orleton to help with the search and appealed for other people who knew her to do the same.

Blackheath Primary School headteacher Lesley King said: "She was an experienced year six teacher who was extremely popular with both children and parents alike. She took early retirement a number of years ago."

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Adam Thomas, from the West Mercia Police Command Team in Hereford, said: "Work is continuing this morning to find Alethea and once again we will be working with local people to co-ordinate the search.

"We have all been very impressed with the organisation and dedication of local people and it is clear Orleton is a tightly knit community and that many of those helping are friends or acquaintances of Mrs Taylor.

"We are most grateful for the assistance we are receiving and it really is helping us to cover more ground than we would using just our own resources.

"While our specialist search teams have focused on the countryside around the village it is a vast rural area and we would once again appeal to farmers and other landowners both in the immediate area and further afield to check outbuildings in case Alethea has taken shelter in one of them.

"Naturally the concern for her wellbeing is growing as each day passes. We believe she is vulnerable and there are concerns about her mental state.

"I'd like to reassure local people that no effort is being spared in the search for Alethea and I would appeal to anyone who thinks they have seen her since last Thursday, or who may have any idea why she has gone missing, to get in touch with us immediately.”

Mrs Taylor is described as white, about 5ft 7in, with short dark, slightly greying hair. When last seen she was wearing her night clothes but it is not known what she was wearing when she left home."

Anyone with information that could help find her should call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or 101.