A key witness in the search for Nicola Bulley did not see the missing mother, it has been revealed.

Police had launched an appeal yesterday to trace a ‘lady in red’.

Detectives said she had been walking near the River Wyre at a similar time to when Nicola vanished on January 27.

Her phone was found on a park bench, still logged into a Teams call, and her dog was found dry by the riverbank.

The lady in red was found last evening, but has no clues to help piece together Nicola’s disappearance.

She was revealed to be Christine Bowman, a 67-year-old retired teacher, MailOnline reports.

Ms Bowman had been walking with her dog, Snowflake, on January 27.

The security camera footage that she was caught on was taken from the caravan park next to the towpath – she hadn’t ventured down to the river’s edge.

Ms Bowman said she ‘doesn’t know anything’ and that she had in fact already told police that prior to last night.

She also said the community was on edge since Nicola’s disappearance.

Ms Bowman said: ‘It has made local women fearful. If they have husbands or partners, they have been taking the dogs out instead.’ 

The last known movements of Nicola before she went missing were released by police last night as they still continue their search for mum-of-two.

Supt Sally Riley said: ‘We know that Nicola going missing has caused a great deal of concern for the wider local community, as well as obviously being an awful time for her family.

‘This remains a missing person inquiry and at this time there is nothing to suggest any third-party involvement in Nicola’s disappearance.

‘I appreciate that there are unanswered questions about what has happened to Nicola, but I would urge people not to speculate or spread false rumours. We will share updates when we can, but we must be factual.

‘Nicola’s family are being kept up to date with events and are being supported by officers.

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