***UPDATE: As of Wednesday afternoon, Margaret had been located safe and well***
A statement from the police read: "Some great news to share this afternoon. We posted an appeal earlier for a woman called Margaret who was missing from Bolton le Sands and we are very pleased to say she has been found safe and well.
"We would like to thank members of the community who helped with the search, either in person or by sharing our social media appeal, and the volunteers from Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, Lancaster Area Search and Rescue and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
"Margaret was found as a result of a sighting from a member of the public who called us so it is directly thanks to you that we were able to respond and find her."
A huge search and rescue operation was launched on Tuesday night to try and find a missing pensioner.
Margaret Bannister, 71, was reported missing from her home in Bolton-le-Sands on Tuesday afternoon.
She had not been seen since around 9am on Tuesday, and police last night said they had become increasingly worried for the pensioner.
A search and rescue operation was launched, which involved the mountain rescue team, the police dog unit, the fire service urban search and rescue unit, and officers from both Lancaster and Morecambe police.
At 3.24am on Wednesday, the search remained ongoing.
Late on Tuesday night, a spokesperson for the police said: "We are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of 71-year-old Margaret Bannister, who is missing from her home address in Bolton-le-Sands.
"She was last seen in the Bolton-le-Sands area at around 9am on Tuesday.
"Margaret is described as 5ft 3in tall, with short grey hair and of a small build.
"When she was last seen, she was wearing a thick, dark brown jacket, blue jeans, black wellies and is carrying a black, leather shoulder bag.
"We are now concerned for Margaret's welfare and are appealing for your help to find her.
"If you have seen her or have any information, please call us on 101 quoting log 1087 of October 5."
From @LancsPolice #Facebook pic.twitter.com/hyQstUq6Bc
— Bowland Pennine MRT (@BPMRT) October 6, 2021
Massive search effort overnight with a #TacOps Police Search Adviser (#PolSA) coordinating @BPMRT @bls_fire @firesearchdogs @LFRS_USAR @_LASAR_ @NPASNorthWest @MRSearchDogsEng to assist @PoliceLancaster @MorecambePolice with a missing person search. Search ongoing. pic.twitter.com/HEoJRvpNqB
— Lancs Police Tac Ops (@LancsTacOps) October 6, 2021
As of 8.30am on Wednesday, Margaret remains missing.
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