Nicola Bulley seen celebrating birthday in heartbreaking new photo before vanishing without a trace
A HEARTBREAKING photo has emerged of Nicola Bulley celebrating her birthday before she vanished without a trace.
Nicola, 45, was pictured beaming as she held a pink balloon with "happy birthday" written on it.
In the photo, the mum-of-two is surrounded by gifts, cards and a cake.
Nicola took to social media to share the snap and thank everyone who gave her "love" on her big day.
The mortgage adviser said she'd had a busy day at work, but was finally sat down with "a cheeky birthday prosecco".
It comes as the search for Nicola reached its 12th painstaking day.
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The mum celebrated her 45th in October and shared photos from her day on Facebook.
She wrote on her business page Nicola Bulley - Mortagage Adviser: "It’s been a busy work day today and it’s my birthday!
"Thank you to everyone that has sent me birthday wishes, gifts and cards! I’m feeling the love."
Nicola thanked estate agents Love Homes for the "lovely gift", which included a box of bath bombs and body wash.
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In the post, which the mum scattered with emojis, she said: "I’m finally sat with a cheeky birthday Prosecco."
Nicola was last seen in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, at around 9.15am on January 27.
Since then, there has been no trace of her.
Police and volunteers have scoured land and water to try to find Nicola, but to no avail.
Earlier today a dive expert searching the river said his team will end their efforts by sunset.
Peter Faulding said they have done all they can to try to find Nicola.
However, he said police are now honing their efforts further downstream.
It comes as police revealed there was a "possibility" the mum had actually left the river path on foot.
They said one particular area was not covered by CCTV.
On Wednesday Nicola's distraught partner Paul Ansell visited the scene.
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He spent 10 minutes walking the river bank near the bench where the mum's phone was found, still connected to a work Teams call.
The Sun Online has published a full timeline since Nicola vanished, including different events and clues.
