THE brother of missing Redmarley woman, Kate Prout has issued a heartfelt appeal for information, as a police search to find her continues and widens.

Richard Wakefield made his appeal during a press conference at Gloucestershire Constabulary headquarters on Thursday afternoon, when police also announced plans to widen the search.

In addition, another search control base, to help co-ordinate efforts, will be set up at Redmarley Cricket Club.

Mr Wakefield said: "We are all very concerned and worried about her welfare. She is a kind, caring person, - artistic, she enjoyed sketching, doing flowers for the local church, and she loved walking the dog. She is articulate and intelligent and always well presented.

"We are missing her greatly as are all her friends. It is most unusual for her to disappear like she has. Anyone who knows anything, please come forward and help to bring Kate back."

Supt Neil Kelly, the senior investigating officer said: "We are not dismissing the possibility that she may be missing outside Gloucestershire. We are widening the search area."

Supt Kelly added: "The search has involved helicopers, thermal imaging, dogs and divers."

A special underwater search team investigated a reservoir near Redmarley on Tuesday.

Mrs Prout, aged 55, has not been seen since Monday, November 5, and last week a 45-year-old man, also from the Redmarley area, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was not officially named, but he is believed to be Adrian Prout, 45, the missing woman's husband.

A diver and backup crew from Thames Valley Police searched the large artificial lake, not far for the M50 motorway.

As well as the lake, around 200 acres of land have already been searched, with the help of 15 officers, and a specialist investigator.

Mrs Prout is white, 5ft 6 inches tall, and of medium build. She has a pale complexion and green eyes. She was wearing jeans and a black v-neck top when she was last seen, on Monday, November 5. She may have had brown, shoulder-length hair.

Anyone with information concerning her whereabouts should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary immediately on 0845 090 1234, quoting incident 229 of November 10, the date when Mrs Prout was reported missing.