Police are concerned for the safety of 56-year-old Zainab Begum, of Burnley Road, Accrington who has not been seen since 9am on Tuesday, January 13, when one of her six daughters left for school.

Daughter Samina Amin, 31, of Queens Road West, Accrington, said the family were coping badly with the disappearance and were desperate for her to come home.

Samina said, " There has been one sighting at Poundshrinker in Accrington and another at Nagyal foods in Blackburn Road on Tuesday January 13 but that is all.

"We are beside ourselves with worry and can't sleep. Her youngest daughter Neelam Sher is only 14. She bursts into tears when we even mention it and can't face school.

"We are desperate for news. It is totally out of character for her to do this. She was a lovely, calm, timid lady. I am going out of my mind."

Her other daughter Kauser Khan said, "This is very unsual of her. We have rang everyone we know and she has never stayed overnight anywhere before. She always tells us where she is."

"Her English is very good and she does not need an interpretor."

"We are having to do most of the investigating ourselves and are not being kept informed by the police as much as we would want."

Zainab is medium build, 5ft 3in, with black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.

She was wearing a black headscarf, long black woollen coat, black shoes and glasses.

Police Sergeant Christine Driver said, "We are growing increasingly concerned as Zainab has not been seen and it is completely out of character for her to go missing.

"She was always at home when her daughter returns from school in the afternoon."

Anyone with any information should call the police at Accrington on 01254-353730 or the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500-700-700.