A fundraiser has been launched to support Nicola Bulley’s family after police found her body in the River Wyre earlier this week.

Andy Lawson, a work colleague of Nicola’s partner Paul Ansell, set up the fundraiser and is hoping to raise at least £5,000 for Paul and their two daughters nine-year-old Harriet and six-year-old Sophia.

This fund aims to provide some financial support for Nicola’s daughters now and into the future.

Writing on the GoFundMe Andy, from Essex, said: “Paul is a close work colleague of mine and this page has been set up to allow anyone that would like to support Paul and his two daughters through this truly devastating time.”

Andy also shared a statement which has reportedly come from Nicola’s family.

It said: "We will never forget Nikki - how could we? She was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.

"Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now,"

“This fund aims to provide some financial support for Nikki's two young daughters now and into the future.

“Thank you for your support.”

Nicola, from Inskip, went missing on January 27 while walking her dog in  St Michael's on Wyre.

On Sunday, February 19, police confirmed that they had found a body close to the area where she went missing.

On Monday police confirmed that the recovered body was Nicola.

In a press conference, police confirmed the news, with Lancashire Police Assistant Constable Peter Lawson saying: “Sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre.

“Nicola’s family have been informed and are of course devastated. Our thoughts are with them at this time as well as with all her loved ones and the wider community.

“We recognise the huge impact that Nicola Bulley’s disappearance has had on her family and friends, but also on the people of St Michael’s.

“We would like to thank all of those who have helped during what has been a hugely complex and highly emotional investigation.

“Today’s development is not the outcome any of us would have wanted, but we hope that it can at least start to provide some answers for Nicola’s loved ones, who remain foremost in our thoughts.”

To donate to the GoFundMe visit: https://gofund.me/5608d6ff