POLICE searching for the dismembered body of missing mother-of-six Zeinab Begum say they are hopeful of finding it.

Officers are still examining three sites in two separate towns, including an Accrington town centre kebab shop.

Although the 56-year-old's body has not yet been found, officers say they have evidence it had been cut up.

Mrs Begum has not been seen since Tuesday, January 13, but her son-in-law Mohammed Arshad, 36, of Middleton Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, was charged with her murder earlier this week.

His brother Mohammed Sharif Khan, 37, also of Crumpsall, was subsequently charged with assisting in the disposal of Mrs Begum's body.

The pair are set to appear at Preston Crown Court later this month.

Police continue to conduct intensive searches of Mrs Begum's home, in Burnley Road, and the surrounding area.

They are also examining the Millennium takeaway, in Church Street, Accrington, which is owned by Arshad, and a location in Crumpsall, for signs of Mrs Begum.

A member of her family last saw her looking upset on the morning of her disappearance. She was reported missing by her family, and last week her daughter Samina Amin admitted she had given up hope of seeing her alive again.

A murder investigation was launched on January 27 and officers conducted house to house inquiries over the weekend.

Det Chief Insp Steve Brunskill, who is leading the investigation, said: "I can confirm we have evidence Mrs Begum's body has been dismembered and we are still hopeful we will identify her current location. At the moment we have just got one location in Manchester, which is Crumpsall.

"This is very upsetting for her family and we are keeping them informed through our team of family liaison officers."