A body found in a wood near Oxford yesterday morning is believed to be that of a missing woman.

Joanna Stannard, 28, was last seen at her home in Bullingdon Road, East Oxford, on Tuesday.

In a police appeal, made on Wednesday evening, investigators said they urgently wished to locate the missing woman who had, they said, left home in a “distressed state”.

Their description of Ms Stannard included the pink or purple bicycle with a basket on the back that she had taken with her.

Thames Valley Police said the body was found in Bagley Wood near Kennington yesterday morning and although a formal identification had not occurred, they believed it to be that of Ms Stannard.

An official identification is expected to take place today.

Police spokeswoman Rhianne Pope said: “The body of a woman was discovered at about 10am in Bagley Wood.

“The body has not been formally identified but is believed to be that of missing woman Joanna Stannard.

“Her next-of-kin have been informed and her death is not being treated as suspicious.”