POLICE are widening their search for missing Huncoat woman Lindsay Birbeck.

Searches have been taking place today at Huncoat Quarry and the surrounding area, in addition to The Coppice.

The 47-year-old teaching assistant has been missing since last Monday.

CCTV footage showed Lindsay, at around 4.10pm on Monday August 12 in the Burnley Road area walking in the direction of Accrington.

A witness had described having a conversation with a lady matching her description at the top of Peel Park Avenue at 4.30pm.

Police discovered the encounter was nearer to 6.30pm. This was a mistake by a witness trying to help.

Detective Inspector Tim McDermott, said: "We are now treating Lindsay's last sighting as at 6:30pm, not 4:30pm on Monday 12th.

"We want to speak to a dog walker and a couple who were also walking dogs in the area around the same time as Lindsay as they could hold vital information. If you think this is you, please ring us now.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support and dedication shown by members of the public, who have been out in the hundreds helping in the search for Lindsay."

Police are still keen to trace a man walking a Labrador in the area at that time.

The man is described as a white man, aged in his late 40s, 5ft 6in tall, of medium build with short dark hair and wearing glasses.

He is believed to have been wearing a dark jacket or coat and was walking a small black Labrador.

It is also believed that there may have been a couple in the same area, each walking a dog.

The couple are described as a white male aged in his late 20s, wearing casual clothes walking a mottled effect Bull Mastiff type dog and a white woman aged late 20s also wearing casual clothes and walking a stocky white Staffordshire bull terrier type dog.

However, as the search widens police warn that the terrain is extremely dangerous and those wanting to help should stick to main roads.

Detective Inspector Tim McDermott, added: "If you come across something you think may be significant to the investigation, please don't touch it but report it to us or flag down a nearby officer.

The teacher was last seen wearing a purple Rab bubble jacket, black leggings, a white shirt with blue pin stripes and black trainers with a white sole.

Her Huawei phone is also still missing.

Ms Birbeck has links to Accrington and Burnley, as well as Kendal in Cumbria.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 0016 of August 13.

For immediate sightings please call 999.