Photo bid in missing gran hunt

The family of missing post office worker Christine Fletcher have released a poignant photograph showing her with her grandsons.

The a new appeal for information comes a week after she vanished from her Black Country home.

Grandmother of five Mrs Fletcher, aged 57, is pictured with Clay and Ethan Fletcher, who live in America, on a trip to visit them in 2008. Her husband David, 59, and daughter Carrie Fletcher, 36, say they hope that it will help in the hunt for clues about her whereabouts.

She disappeared while on the way to the post office in Granville Drive, Kingswinford, where she works as a post office assistant.

Her family say there is no motive for her disappearance and it is completely out of character.

Her car was found abandoned near Clent Hills.

Police have searched an area known as The Dingle which runs from the hills down to Wollescote.

Mr Fletcher told the Express & Star his wife of 40 years grew up in Ashfield Crescent, Wollescote, and would often walk to Clent Hills for family days out.

He said: "We are wondering if Christine's disappearance is linked to her childhood. We have put up posters in this area saying she is a mother and a grandmother. We are clutching at straws but we have to remain hopeful, and we are not giving up looking for."

Miss Fletcher, who has three children and lives in Wheeler Street, Stourbridge, said: "It's just complete confusion.

"There is no logic to explain what's happened.

"We can only think there is some of kind of problem. We are distraught and desperate for any information."

Anyone with information can call Halesowen police station on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Up to 50 police officers and dogs have been combing the hills near the spot where Mrs Fletcher's Ford Escort was discovered abandoned by a car park on Wednesday.

Police helicopters have been flying over the National Trust site, and posters with Mrs Fletcher's photograph on have been put up along the footpaths.

Officers have searched near her home in Austrey Road, Kingswinford, as well as tracing her route to work at Granville Drive post office, where she failed to turn up for her shift.