Police today appealed for help in tracing a woman who has been reported missing from Oxford.

Ann Powles, 74, was last seen at an address in Water Eaton Road at about 6pm yesterday, when she left to walk her dog. She was reported missing by her family this afternoon.

Police said she was white, approximately 5ft 4in tall and of large build. She has dark brown eyes and wears her hair quite short. It is likely that she was wearing dark blue trousers, a three-quarter-length red and black jacket and a blue woolly hat at the time she went missing.

Her dog is a brown and black border terrier, with grey around its nose.

Inspector Martin Ford said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Ann’s welfare due to the recent weather conditions and because her disappearance is out of character.

"We’re keen to hear from anyone who has any information about Ann's whereabouts, or anyone who may have seen Ann’s dog wandering around in the North Oxford area, particularly in the area of Sunnymead recreation ground where she often walks her dog.”

Anyone with information about Ann’s whereabouts is urged to contact Thames Valley Police via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505, quoting URN 747 of 21/12/10.