Officers are searching for a missing woman in Wool and are asking the public to help trying to find her.

Hazel Penfold, who is 71 years old, was reported missing at 4.52pm on Sunday. She had been seen leaving her address in Burton Close on foot.

She is described as white and of small build with white/yellow straggly hair. She is wearing something pink, which could be either a jacket, top or dressing gown. She also has a small caramel coloured Chihuahua dog with her.

Chief Inspector Lance Cliff, of Dorset Police, said: “It appears that Hazel might not be appropriately dressed for the current weather conditions and we are very concerned for her welfare.

“Officers have been searching the area, but have so far been unable to locate her.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to obtain a photo of Hazel, but believe she is well known in Wool and we hope somebody might have seen her and can help us find her.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Hazel’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 31:340.