Search for missing Janet Brown

Farmland near Hexham could hold the key to the disappearance of a woman who is now believed to be dead.

Janet Brown was last seen in June 2005 and was known to be living in the Lowgate area of Hexham.

Police have started searching the farm and land in West Tynedale, where they say a detailed search of the farmland near Sparty Lea could take several weeks.

Police have started searching farmland for the body of a woman from Hexham who went missing eight years ago.

After extensive enquiries in the UK and abroad, detectives believe that Janet Brown, 53, is dead.

A 59-year-old Tynedale man was arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed last December.

In the latest development, police are now searching a farm and land near Sparty Lea in West Tynedale.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police have started searching remote farmland in West Tynedale for the body of a missing woman.

Janet Brown, 53, from Hexham, was last seen in 2005.

A 59-year-old man from Tynedale was arrested and bailed on suspicion of murder last December.

Detectives have made enquiries in the UK and abroad to try to trace her.

The search will now concentrate on a farm and land near Sparty Lea in West Tynedale.

Police say the search of 40 acres of farmland is expected to take a number of weeks.