THE family of a woman who has been missing for more than five days has spoken of their distress.

Fatima Mohamed-Ali, 52, was last seen by her husband at about 7.30am on Friday at their Newhaven home.

The mother-of-three and grandmother was spotted by a passerby about half an hour later in Avis Road, Newhaven, but has not been seen or heard from since.

Police said her disappearance is completely out of character and said the circumstances of her disappearance are causing us them "considerable concern".

On Monday Mrs Mohamed-Ali's family, including husband Mohamed, daughter Fareeda and son Ali Akbar appealed for anyone who might have seen her to come forward.

Fareeda, 32, told The Argus: "It was a busy time so people would have been going to work or to school.

"We are feeling a bit desperate now, very worried for her welfare. It is cold outside and we just want her home. We have been here since, waiting,"

She added: "My mum has always been there for us so this is completely out of character for her. We just want to make sure she is OK.

"Just come home mum. We miss you, we love you."

Mr Mohamed-Ali recalled seeing his wife, with whom he lived alone, on Friday morning after getting up at around 6.30am.

He said: "She was here and she woke up and made me breakfast and everything, and then I said, 'Ok I will see you later.'"

But Mrs Mohamed-Ali, who works Monday to Thursday as an electronics assembler at Brightwell Dispensers, in Newhaven, was not there when he returned that afternoon.

It appears she left home without a bag, money, keys or any other personal items.

The family phoned police and in the early hours of Saturday volunteers from Sussex Search and Rescue (SusSAR) and Lowland Search Dogs searched for her in and around the town and up the River Ouse to Southease.

Later that day a police helicopter searched the coast to the east and west of the town and up the river to Lewes.

A police appeal on Saturday resulted in a sighting of her in Avis Road, near her house, at about 8am, when she was reported to be wearing a beige coat.

Chief Inspector Rob Leet, district policing commander also appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Call police on 101 quoting serial 946 of 12/02. If you see her, dial 999 immediately.