Police searching for a missing woman from Middlesbrough who was last seen three weeks ago in North Yorkshire have extended their search to Sidcup. 

Annie Dryden was last seen boarding a train from James Cook Train Station just before 2.10pm on January 4.

The 20-year-old then arrived in Battersby, North Yorkshire at around 2.40pm.

Annie is described by police as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build with dark hair, a distinctive blonde fringe, and a scar above her top lip.

Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police have since been carrying out extensive searches in the rural area surrounding Battersby, including Clay Bank, Ingleby Greenhow, Kildale continuing east towards Blakey Ridge on the edge of the North York Moors.

Despite searches over several weeks, efforts from authorities have been unsuccessful and Annie remains missing.

Officers have now asked the Metropolitan Police Service to share their appeal after links between Annie and Sidcup were established.

Annie's family has issued a message directly to her, reminding her that she is loved and missed and that they "just want to know you are safe."

The statement says: “Annie, we just want to know you are safe. You don’t need to come home, we just need to know you are ok.

“We love you and we miss you but we also understand there were events coming up at home which were causing you upset. These have now passed.

“So many people are worried about you, we are receiving so many messages from those concerned about you. Please just get in touch with someone.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Fionna McEwan, said: “The focus of our search is still very much in the North Yorkshire and Cleveland areas where the last confirmed sightings of Annie were.

“We do not want people in these areas to stop looking out for Annie or not report any potential sightings of her.

“However, as Annie has not yet been located in these areas and we know she has links to south east London we wanted to extend our appeal to those in this area.

“Although the appeal to find Annie has been prominent in the North East of England and Yorkshire, if Annie has travelled south she may not be fully aware of the coverage, which is why we are now asking for our appeal to be shared in this area.

“If you know Annie and have heard from her or seen her since she was reported missing, please get in touch with our officers as a matter of urgency.

“Annie if you are in London and are reading this appeal for the first time, please do get in touch and let us know you are safe.

“While Annie is very familiar with the outdoors and wild camping, she has now been missing for almost three weeks and we remain very concerned for her safety.

“If she is still outside, she is likely to be wet and muddy and in desperate need of supplies, especially after the recent adverse weather conditions across the country.”

If you have seen Annie or have any information on her whereabouts call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or if you’re calling from outside North Yorkshire call 999.