Police continue search for missing West Lothian pensioner

POLICE are continuing their search for a 77-year-old pensioner who has disappeared in West Lothian.

Irene McCawley, of Beech Road in the Boghall area of the city,was last seen at around 9am on Wednesday, when she left home to visit the local butcher’s in Elizabeth Drive.

She did not visit the shop, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Officers are carrying out searches in areas in and around Bathgate, in a bid to trace Mrs Crawley.

The RAF is providing assistance in the form of a search and rescue helicopter that has been deployed to the area to carry out an aerial search.

Mrs McCawley is described as white, 5ft 5ins tall, stocky build, with short white hair.

It is believed that she was last seen wearing a blue knee-length jacket, and was carrying a blue umbrella.

Inspector Neill Whiteside, from Lothian and Borders Police, is appealing to the public to contact police with any information they may have on her current whereabouts.

He said: “Mrs McCawley’s disappearance is out of character, and we are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare the longer she remains missing.

“We are appealing to anyone who thinks they have seen or heard from Mrs McCawley since yesterday morning to contact us immediately.

“At this time officers are carrying out searches of the local area in a bid to trace her, and it is vital that the public contact us with any information they may have on her potential whereabouts.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.