UPDATE: Family '˜deeply worried' for missing Melanie as underwater searches continue

Inspector Nick Butler says relatives of the popular 22-year-old charity shop worker are extremely concerned after she vanished more than a week ago from her Sutton home.

She was last seen by a friend at her home, where she lives alone with her pet cats, at around 11.20pm on Wednesday, October 19.

Inspector Butler, Mansfield’s district commander, held a press conference outside Mansfield Police Station this morning.

He said: “We have spoken with her family and friends and they are deeply worried, as we all are.

“We just need to know if anyone at all has heard or seen her then we really do need to hear from them. That one piece of information may help to find her.

“She is not in any kind of trouble, all we need to know is that she is safe and well.

“She does use social media quite a lot so people are concerned that she hasn’t used it since she was last seen.”

Police divers spent yesterday combing the fishing lake at Sutton Lawn as well as King’s Mill Reservoir.

The six-strong underwater unit were seen making their way around the lake in unison while checking under overhanging trees and hedges when they reached the edge.

Insp Butler said the searches continued through the night and will continue today, although he admits there are no specific areas where they feel she could be.

Melanie is white, about 5ft 6ins tall, has blonde hair and is of a slim build.

She also had a distinctive sleeve tattoo on her arm.

A second photo of Melanie was released by police this week in the hope it may help jog people’s memories.

Insp Butler admitted that she had gone missing before, only last month, but had turned up.

In a direct plea to her, he said: “Please come forward and let us know where you are.

“Nobody cares for you more than your family. Pop into a police station or hospital or somewhere we can make sure you’re okay.”