MYSTERY surrounds the disappearance of a woman who vanished back in August after saying she was going for a walk.

Gillian Affleck went missing from her Patcham home 44 days ago and to date police have followed up on 300 leads.

However, they are no closer to finding the 50-year-old who worked for Legal and General at the company’s Hove office.

Her partner Martina Walton, 44, has told of her heartbreak and has appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

Miss Walton said she hasn’t slept properly since her partner of eight years vanished from their quaint cottage on August 24.

She said: “You think the worst and hope for the best.

“You think of everything you can possibly imagine.

“I haven’t really slept well since, and didn’t sleep particularly well the night she disappeared.

“I am just hoping she would knock on the door.”

Miss Walton said she last spoke to Gill on the morning of August 24 as she made her way from her native Essex to Brighton.

But when she arrived home the former emergency medical technician for London Ambulance found a note from Gillian to say she had gone for a walk, which was not uncommon.

She said Gill enjoyed walking had been going on regular walks in Patcham Place and Horsdean recreation grounds to clear her head in the few weeks before her disappearance.

She had recently suffered a bout of depression.

But Gill never returned home, and some 44 days have passed since her disappearance with no hint of her whereabouts.

Miss Walton added: “The police have done everything they can and followed up more than 300 leads, which include contacting hotels, hospitals, and other places, but they have hit a brick wall.

“There is so little to go on because she didn’t have her mobile phone and she left with no clothes.

“It has had a huge impact.

“I am worried everyday, and with every day that passes it gets more and more difficult.

“It is so distressing not knowing, and that’s the worst thing.”

Gill is 5ft 6in, of medium build and has shoulder-length brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a thin blue or grey three-quarter-length sleeve top, a grey stone effect Peter Storm waterproof jacket, brown ankle boots, a knitted grey scarf and was carrying a large grey Karrimor rucksack.

Gill, who has lived in Brighton since 2002, has links to her native Scotland.

She is originally from the county of Ayrshire.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “There have been no new leads and no reported sightings since Gillian Affleck’s disappearance unfortunately.”

If you have any information on Gill you report it to police online or call 101 quoting reference 1219 of 24/08.

The charity Missing People can also pass on a message to the family to let them know she is safe by calling or texting 116000 or emailing 116000@missingpeople.org.uk.