POLICE have issued a nationwide appeal for help in tracing a woman who was last seen disembarking from a ferry in Scotland.

Officers in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and the family of missing woman Jacqueline McLaughlin are becoming increasingly concerned about her whereabouts.

The 46-year-old left her home in the Beech Drive area of Ballymena on Tuesday and has not returned. She was last seen disembarking from the HSS ferry that had arrived from Belfast at Stranraer that evening at about 7.20pm.

A police spokesman said: “Jacqueline is described as being 5ft 5in, of slim build with a swarthy complexion, short blonde hair and blue eyes. This is out of character for Jacqueline and her family are concerned for her wellbeing.”

Police are appealing to Jacqueline or anyone who knows of her whereabouts to contact detectives in Ballymena on 0845 600 8000.