Woman missing after landslide in Looe

Police are investigating if a woman is trapped inside a house after part of the property collapsed during heavy rainfall overnight. Susan Norman, who is in her 60s, has not been heard from since she phoned relatives at about 8pm yesterday to tell them she was going to bed.

Her house in Looe, Cornwall, was hit by a landslide and floodwater last night.

More than dozen people living in the street have been evacuated from their homes but police could not account for Mrs Norman. This morning crews used a springer spaniel sniffer dog to search for her.

Police said thermal imaging cameras used to identify signs of life also proved inconclusive.

Neighbours said they heard "windows popping" at the three-storey property under the pressure of a torrent of surface water which had been washed down the road behind the building, which is split into three flats.

Retired police officer Pete Temlett described how everyone was in a "state of shock".

Police and fire crews are waiting for engineers to assess if the building is safe enough for further searches.