Nicola Bulley development as TWO witnesses claim they spotted ‘shabby and suspicious red van’ in area where mum vanished

A SECOND witness claims to have seen a shabby-looking red van close to where Nicola Bulley disappeared two weeks ago.

Police are probing reports of the suspicious vehicle seen parked near the river in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27.

Cops were first alerted to the motor, thought to be a high-sided Renault or Transit, shortly after Nicola Bulley was declared missing.

A man in his 50s, who did not want to be named, said: "It was a shabby looking van, an older model, the kind you can live or work in.

"It was on a quiet lane near a barn, with a couple of houses dotted around.

"Obviously, I don’t know whether this van is related to Nicola’s disappearance.

"All I know is that something grabbed my attention. I felt compelled to tell police about it.

"Even though it was down the road, as the crow flies it’s quite close to where Nicola was last seen."

He phoned Lancashire Police a second time and confirmed his suspicions are being taken seriously.

"I’ve spoken to the police a couple of times now. They called me on Wednesday to follow up," he added.

"They thanked me and asked if I had any dashcam footage and told me they were taking my information seriously."

The Sun understands another witness also contacted police to report seeing the van in the same area.

The force said: "We have received a huge amount of information into the enquiry, all of which is being looked at, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has assisted our investigation so far."

Nicola disappeared while walking her dog Willow beside the River Wyre shortly after dropping her two daughters off at school.

Her phone, which was still connected to a work call, was found on a bench overlooking the water and her Springer Spaniel was discovered bone dry nearby.

Detectives are still working on the theory she fell into the river in a "tragic accident".

Yesterday they were investigating the “possibility” that she had been carried downstream by the tide towards the Irish Sea.

Two boats with specialist police teams were seen searching the water and shoreline 20 miles away at Morecambe Bay and Knotts End.

But Superintendent Sally Riley said Nicola could have left the area by a path not covered by CCTV.

Peter Faulding, a forensic search expert, said he is “baffled” by the case.