Two women have made a heartfelt appeal for their mother to get in touch more than a week after she went missing.

Police, volunteers and private investigators have carried out extensive searches for Joyce Wells, 74, who was last seen by friends at her home.

Yesterday police officers stopped passing traffic and pedestrians in the road where she went missing to see if there had been any sightings.

Teams of volunteers have worked with police and sniffer dogs to comb farmland, outbuildings and woods. Daughters Carole Cratherne and Nicky Gumbrell said there was no explanation for their mother’s disappearance. They added that she was fit and healthy and looking forward to Christmas with her family.

Police say Mrs Wells’ home, in Pebsham Lane, Bexhill, showed no sign of disturbance and her car was parked in the drive. She was well known in the area because she had lived there for many years.

Mrs Cratherne described her mother as “the sort of person who would always stop and chat to people because she is kind and caring”.

She said: “We are desperately concerned about her, especially with the cold weather.

“It is very out of character for her to go missing in this way.”

Ms Gumbrell pleaded for her mother’s return, saying: “Mum, please just come back. We love you and the children love you so please just come back.”

Inspector James Scott said: “Mrs Wells’ disappearance is a mystery to both police and her family.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen a woman fitting Mrs Wells’ description recently to contact us.”

Mrs Wells went missing last Saturday. Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.