Extra divers called in to search for Nicola Bulley as images released of her latest appearance
5 February 2023, 17:53 | Updated: 5 February 2023, 23:17
Extra divers have joined the search for Nicola Bulley as police continued a desperate hunt for the missing mother of two.
With the family's permission, divers from Specialist Group International (SGI) were allowed to join the investigation on Sunday evening.
After initially being denied to join the search, world-renowned forensics expert Peter Faulding and a team are now taking part.
Faulding tweeted on Sunday night: "We have just heard from the family of Nicola Bulley to confirm that the underwater search team from SGI will be deployed to assist @LancsPolice in the search."
Earlier on Sunday, newly released doorbell footage showed missing mother Nicola loading the car before a school run on the day she disappeared.
Bulley, 45, was last seen on January 27.
Friends shared the images in an attempt to inspire eyewitnesses to come forward with information which could prove useful to finding her.
At the time she was last seen, Bulley walking her dog alongside the river in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.
She was dialled in to a work conference call at the time.
Police admitted on Sunday that there is "no evidence" behind their theory that Ms Bulley fell into the river after a "key witness" came forward.
The witness was seen pushing a pram in the area near where the dog walker went missing.
In an update on its Facebook page, Lancashire Police said the woman had come forward "very quickly".
It added: "We must stress that she was very much being treated as a witness and was one of many people in St Michael's on Friday, January 27th," the force added.
"Our enquiries to find Nicola are extensive and will include speaking to as many members of the public as possible.
"The speculation and abuse on social media aimed at some people who are merely assisting our enquiry is totally unacceptable.
"We would urge people to remember that we are investigating the disappearance of Nicola, and the priority is Nicola and her family. We want to find her and provide answers to her family."
Reverend Andrew Wilkinson added that the local community is "in shock" but "hope is what is keeping everyone going".
The family "thoroughly enjoy the level of support" they have been receiving, he said.
"And it is remarkable actually what is being achieved here and the profile that it has.
"They still are looking for and hoping for that good news."