THE SON of a woman who has disappeared from a mental health unit at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping, had warned staff that she wanted to leave.

But Anthony Reilly said his comments were ignored, and two days later his mother Beryl, 59, went missing from Chelmer Ward where she had been for just over a week.

His mother had been on round-the-clock observation when she was admitted last Monday, but this had been reduced to checks every 15 minutes, he said.

Unit staff confirm they were told on Sunday that Mrs Reilly wanted to leave and so the observations continued. When they were reviewed on Tuesday and she did not repeat her wish to leave, they were discontinued.

Her family now has no idea where she is. Mr Reilly said: "I just haven't a clue. We've looked everywhere we could. I'm just disgusted with the hospital. We just want her to come home."

Police officers, some with dogs, forest rangers and the police helicopter were called in to search following the disappearance at 4pm on Tuesday.

Police were alerted by staff after she went missing wearing only thin clothing. Police said she requires medication and could be confused and disorientated without it.

It is thought Mrs Reilly, who comes from Harlow and has two sons and a daughter, could have been barefoot at the time she disappeared, or may have been wearing slippers taken from the hospital.

Fears were growing for her safety should she have wandered off into the forest land near the hospital.

Harlow-based Insp Gary Skull told the Gazette: "There was a search on Tuesday with the support of the dogs. We are very concerned as she was in a flimsy dress-cardigan.

"If she hasn't gone into the hospital and ensconced herself in a room somewhere, we're very worried."

Officers were briefed at Epping police station early yesterday morning before they continued their search of the hospital grounds at The Plain and the surrounding forest area.

Mrs Reilly was last seen wearing a peach-coloured, long-sleeved jersey over a long denim dress. She is 5ft 3ins tall, of medium build, with blue eyes and known to be depressed, police said.

Anyone who has seen her, or someone matching the description, should contact police at Epping police station on 01992 561212 immediately.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.