Hunt for missing mum Gaynor Lord as cops probe five-hour gap between last sighting and phone being found near river

A HUGE police search is underway for a missing woman after her jewellery and phone were discovered near the banks of a river.

Gaynor Lord, 55, was last seen heading towards the cathedral in the centre of Norwich, Norfolk, at 2.35pm on Friday before she vanished.

Later the same day, a member of the public discovered her belongings in the city’s Wensum Park.

Her white work shirt and a yellow tank top were found spread out at different sites across the city centre park, while her olive-coloured coat was found in the water.

Officers confirmed the clothes she was wearing at the time were all located in the park raising the prospect she went missing at least partially unclothed.

Officers declined to comment on whether her trousers were found.

Norwich Constabulary declared her missing after they identified the items as Gaynor‘s and learned she’d failed to return home from work that evening.

The retail assistant for Bullards Gin, at Jarrold’s was last seen leaving work at 2.45pm when she was due to finish at 4pm, on Friday.

Norwich cops were today searching the river but were not ruling out any possibilities – including third-party involvement.

The missing mum is believed to be married to a successful financial advisor.

Police divers, assisted by fire crews and the coastguard, scoured the nearby River Wensum yesterday using sonar equipment to examine the water.

Officers have also used drones and foot searches in the hunt for further clues.

A spokesperson for the force last night said the park would remain closed as officers hunt for further information about Gaynor’s whereabouts.

Supt Wes Hornigold, said: “Gaynor left work early and didn’t take her normal route home.

“We haven’t been able to establish why she left early and her disappearance is out of character so we are naturally concerned for her welfare.

“There’s no evidence that Gaynor has come to harm and while we have a number of enquiries ongoing, given where her clothing was found and other items, there is a real possibility she has entered the water.

“We’ve been liaising with the National Crime Agency (NCA) who have given advice around specialist underwater dive teams and we’re seeking assistance from forces with this capability. We hope resources will be on the ground later today or tomorrow.

“This is clearly a distressing time for her family. We have specialist officers supporting them and continue to keep them updated of our ongoing work.”

Gaynor, who has blonde shoulder-length hair in a bob, is described as white and 5ft 6 inches tall.

She was last seen, walking along London Street, in Norwich, wearing a white shirt and yellow tank top with a large olive-coloured coat over the top and a scarf.