MARIE VERONICA REYNOLDS Last seen 7 August, 2002 Lives at Malpas, Newport 5ft 5ins tall, slim build Wears spectacles Mousy, greying hair; tied back

Police searching for a pensioner missing since August have completed their excavation work near a canal by her south Wales home.

Officers last week said they feared Marie Veronica Reynolds, 70, from the Malpas area of Newport, may have fallen into one of the large pits by her house where a water company had been excavating.

But, after four days of digging, the search for the missing pensioner has drawn a blank.

The keen traveller - who had a close group of friends and played bridge at her local church club - was last seen on 7 August, 2002, at her home.

Relatives said the disappearance was completely out of character and have appealed for information..

Her sister-in-law Ann Read visited the site on Thursday to seek information which could yield new leads.

Hope

"It is very hard to believe that this long and drawn-out wait could end so sadly," she said.

"All of her family and friends have maintained hope throughout the last eight months and truly believe she could still be alive.

"It was never like Veronica to just go missing. I don't believe anyone can just disappear.

"We all miss her terribly - she was a kind, loving and thoughtful person. This is why I truly believe she could not and would not have just left people behind.

Police were digging at a canal bank

However, the excavation work in which police collaborated with a forensic archaeologist on the Monmouthshire and Brecon waterway, ended without a positive outcome on Friday.

During the search, Inspector Paul Griffiths said that, with search time running out, the chances of finding Ms Reynolds' body were diminishing.

He said the investigation would be reviewed if no trace of her was found