A MAJOR multi-agency search for a missing woman in the Conwy Valley area is underway.

Ausra Plungiene, aged 56, from the Prestatyn area, has not been seen since yesterday (April 11), North Wales Police said.

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North Wales Police, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team and the RAF Search and Rescue Team are all involved in an operation to locate her.

She is believed to have left for a walk at about 10.30am yesterday with her dog, but failed to return home.

The alarm was raised shortly before 10pm last night when North Wales Police co-ordinated a search across a vast area of Snowdonia.

Her car was located by officers in the Rowen area during the early hours.

She may have been wearing a dark pink/purple padded jacket, black leggings and blue shoes.

Superintendent Owain Llewellyn said all efforts were being deployed to search for Ausra.

He said: “We are extremely concerned for Ausra’s safety and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen her or has any information on her whereabouts to get in touch.

“A number of resources were deployed throughout the night to try and find her.

"Her vehicle was located in a remote car park in Rowen shortly after midnight so we are working to establish which route she may have taken.

“Searches are continuing across the area this morning – involving a number of resources including air support.

"Due to the current inclement weather conditions, I would ask members of the public not to conduct their own searches, and allow our mountain rescue colleagues to continue their enquiries”.

Any sightings of Ausra, or information regarding her whereabouts, should be reported to North Wales Police by ringing 101, quoting incident number A052734.

You can also contact the force by its online live chat service.