DORSET Police have released a new image in the search for missing woman April Howatt.

As reported, Bournemouth resident April Howatt, who is 57 years old, was last seen just before 4pm on Tuesday February 23 at Kings Park Hospital.

Police say she was due to take a bus home, but has not returned as expected.

She is described as white, five feet two inches tall and of stocky build.

She is wearing a black skirt, a purple top and fishnet stockings and has a lot of hair clips in her hair. She normally uses a metal pole as a walking stick.

Chief Inspector Greg Tansill, of Dorset Police, said: “We are continuing to carry out a number of enquiries to try and locate April as it is unusual for her not to return home.

“We have now obtained a recent image of April from when she attended her appointment at Kings Park Hospital that shows the clothing she was wearing on the day she went missing.

“I would like to renew my appeal for anyone who has seen April, or a woman matching the description given, to please get in touch. We urgently need to find her to ensure she is safe and well.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to April'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 occurrence number 55210030844.