Police have today searched a lake in Shoebury in connection with the disappearance of Patricia Finnie.

Officers arrived this morning at Friars Park, and were seen in wetsuits and with an inflatable raft, combing through the water.

Police have confirmed that the search is being carried out in connection with missing mother Mrs Finnie, who vanished on May 11 2017, after visiting a friend in Riviera Drive, Southend.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: "Searches are taking place in an area of Shoebury in connection with the missing person investigation into the whereabouts of Patricia Finnie following new information.

"We are carrying out searches for potential evidence that she may have been in the area after she went missing."

Fifteen months on, the search has continued for Mrs Finnie, who was believed to have been in a vulnerable state when she went missing, with a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

Mac McAdoo, 35, from Shoebury, witnessed police entering the water this morning. She said: "I was moved along quite quickly, but there was a large amount of people there around the water.

"They were moving in a line and were clearly searching for something."

Video and pictures: Mac McAdoo