Nicola Payne: Police search Coventry parkland

Police investigating the disappearance of a Coventry mother last seen 21 years ago are searching parkland after being given new information.

Nicola Payne, aged 18, went missing from the Wood End area on 14 December 1991. She had a six-month-old baby at the time of her disappearance.

She was on her way to her parents' house from her home in Winston Avenue.

Miss Payne's family said it was appealing for the public to help the police in the search off Purcell Road.

In a statement, the family said: "For many years we have suffered not knowing what has happened to her and we are appealing to find Nicola and give us the clue we deserve."

West Midlands Police said the search, which includes Home Office scientists and specially-trained dogs, could take several days to complete.

Det Ch Insp Matt Markham said: "New information has been developed by detectives working on the case. The investigation into Nicola's disappearance has always remained open and any new information has been examined.

"We would urge the local community to think back as to whether they saw anything suspicious on or around that day either at this location or where Nicola was last sighted, near to the Black Pad in Wood End."