Fears are growing as police have been searching woodlands for a missing woman.

Simone Gibson was last seen on CCTV going under an underpass below Preston Park railway station in Brighton on Tuesday.

The 56-year-old has never been missing from home before, but in the past she has visited the Chattri war memorial.

Today officers from the Metropolitan Police were seen searching Waterhall, north of the nearby A27 in connection with her disappearance.

Police say she is a keen runner who enjoys going to the Downs, and released a CCTV image of her in a public appeal.

She left her home in Hampstead Road in Brighton at 8.30am and was seen at the underpass at 9.17am.

Her husband returned at 11.05am, and her car was at home but Simone was not there. She was then reported missing at 10pm on Tuesday.

She is black, 5' 5", of slim build with braided black hair. In the CCTV she is wearing a grey hooded top and a grey and pink jacket and glasses.

Detective Inspector Ian Still said: "We now know Simone walked from her home and through the underpass and we are keen to hear from anyone in the Preston Park station area who might have seen her that morning.

"We have been searching for her, alongside volunteers at Sussex Search and Rescue. Simone enjoys running and walking outdoors especially in the Downs.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who might have seen her out for a walk or run, knows of her whereabouts or who has seen her since Tuesday."

Anyone who sees her or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact police on email quoting Operation Beowulf or call 999 immediately.