Family in perpetual hell over missing dog walker – partner

A woman who vanished while walking her dog has “two little girls that need their mummy home”, her partner has said as a major search continues.

Nicola Bulley, 45, was last seen walking on a footpath by River Wyre off Garstang Road, in St Michael’s on Wyre, at about 09:15 GMT on Friday.

Her phone was found on a bench near the riverbank while the dog was found loose close by, Lancashire Police have said.

Ms Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell said it was “perpetual hell” for her family.

Speaking from their home in Inskip, he said: “We are living through this but it doesn’t feel real.

“All we can say is we need to find her. She’s got two little girls that need their mummy home.

“We have got to get some good news now.”

A major search is under way for the 45-year-old, who is also known as Nikki, involving police, the fire service and mountain rescue teams.

Mr Ansell, who has been in a relationship with Ms Bulley for 12 years, said he spent all of Sunday searching for her.

He said he or Ms Bulley would often drop the children, aged nine and six, off at a local primary school before taking their dog Willow for a walk along the river nearby.

“I got a call from the school regarding somebody who had found Willow, and Nikki’s phone and the dog lead and harness on the bench,” Mr Ansell, who then called the police, said.

“We take the kids to school and take the dog down there – either myself or Nikki – nearly every day.”

Supt Sally Riley said the force was keeping “a really open mind about what could have happened but we do believe that the likelihood is that Nicola has gone missing and this is not a crime inquiry”.

She urged “anyone who may have been driving through the village of St Michael’s last Friday morning… or who may have dashcam footage that could be of use to us, or people who may have been dog-walking in the area or on the tow path to come forward”.

Ms Bulley, who works as a mortgage adviser, is described as white, 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair.

She speaks with an Essex accent and was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood, black jeans and olive green ankle wellies.

As well as Inskip and St Michael’s, Ms Bulley also has links to Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire Police said.

Ch Insp Chris Barton previously said the force was “extremely concerned” about Ms Bulley.

“We appreciate there is a great deal of concern in the local area and that people want to help, however we would ask that nobody puts themselves in any danger,” he said.

“If anybody has any questions or concerns they are welcome to speak to officers in the area.”

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]