Divers have helped search nearly two kilometres of a river in Witney but have had no luck in their search for a 76-year-old woman.

Iona, whose last name has not been released, has not been seen since 11am on Monday (February 12) as the search for the Witney woman enters its fifth day.

The Avon & Somerset specialist dive team were requested to join the search by Thames Valley Police on Thursday (February 15).

They conducted a detailed underwater search of the River Windrush during the course of today (February 16).

Since Monday nearly two kilometres of the river has been searched by the Avon & Somerset dive team, Oxfordshire Search and Rescue and the drone unit.

The dive team have currently concluded their searches as additional river searches will resume on Sunday (February 18), say the police.

Marine units, specialist search and rescue, the criminal investigation department, the missing investigation support team and the national police air service have all supported the search.

The force previously said that it was growing “increasingly concerned” for Iona’s welfare but is "keeping an open mind" as the search continues.

She was last seen wearing a brown three-quarter length coat with fur around the hood, leggings and black Nike trainers.

Police described her as 5ft 6in tall and of slim build.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson: "Enquiries are still ongoing to locate Iona, from Witney.

“The Avon & Somerset Dive Team have currently concluded their searches, instead additional river searches will resume on Sunday.”

“However, we are keeping an open mind and following all lines of enquiry."

An eyewitness, who lives nearby, said the river had been “fast flowing” the past week and she hoped nobody was hurt.

“If someone fell in, you’d have a job getting them out,” said the elderly woman, who asked not to be named.

“We walk up there daily and it’s been so fast flowing and muddy lately,” she told the Oxford Mail on Monday evening.

The woman, who asked not to be named, saw the emergency services arrive at around 1pm on Monday. 

She said: “I was walking past my upstairs window when I saw the fire brigade arrive in a great big truck.

“The firemen donned their wetsuits in the middle of the road, which made me think, ‘oh gosh it’s water’.

“The first two ran off down to the river. They set off at a real gallop. It all seemed quite urgent. You don’t normally see firemen run.

“By this time, police and ambulances had also showed up.

“I was quite perturbed. I immediately thought, ‘it’s half term, I hope it’s not a kid."

Anyone with information should call 999 or visit the force's website, quoting reference number 43240068765.