THE family of a former Darwen woman who vanished in the south of France more than five months ago have been told her disappearance is now being treated as murder.

Mother-of-three Evelyn Lund, 53, went missing on December 29 along with her Toyota Landcruiser. She moved from a farm and stables in Winter Hill, Darwen, to start a new life with her second husband, Robert, 48, four years ago.

Her daughter, Patricia Taylor, 30, of Franklin Road, Witton, Blackburn, said: "The French police have told us their investigation is now being treated as a full scale murder inquiry.

"We have always believed our mother was murdered. We are now waiting for further developments."

Mrs Lund's first husband and father of her children, Arthur Taylor, who worked for a large insurance firm, died of cancer in the early 1990s. She left her home in Darwen to start a new life in France four years ago after she met and married Robert in 1994.

Mr Lund, formerly a tree protection officer with Blackburn with Darwen Council, was quizzed by police earlier this year as part of the investigation.

More than 120 police officers have been involved in the investigation and posters featuring Mrs Lund have been circulated in the area around their home in South East France.

A thorough search of the area surrounding the couple's home near Montpellier has been carried out and officers recently visited Britain to gather information. Authorities in Spain have also been alerted.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police confirmed they were liaising with colleagues in France and would be "giving them every assistance with the murder inquiry."