FEARS that a third woman had gone missing in Ipswich were allayed last night when she was found safe and well in the town.Officers investigating the disappearance of prostitutes Tania Nicol and Gemma Adams had been alerted to a 27-year-old woman who had not been seen for more than a month.

FEARS that a third woman had gone missing in Ipswich were allayed last night when she was found safe and well in the town.

Officers investigating the disappearance of prostitutes Tania Nicol and Gemma Adams had been alerted to a 27-year-old woman who had not been seen for more than a month.

Kerry Samain was last seen in Ipswich town centre on October 5 but the alarm was only raised following publicity surrounding the bid to trace Miss Nicol and Miss Adams.

Police said despite “obvious similarities” between the cases, her disappearance was not being linked to that of Miss Nicol and Miss Adams.

However, the alert was called off at around midnight last night, when police revealed Miss Samain had been found safe and well at an address in Ipswich.

Detective superintendent Andy Henwood, who is leading a team of officers searching for Miss Nicol and Miss Adams, had said earlier: “There is nothing to link this inquiry with those into the disappearance of Tania and Gemma. However, the public can help us with our inquiries into all three women by phoning us if they have information.”

News of Miss Samain's disappearance came just days after Miss Adams, 25, of Blenheim Road, Ipswich was reported missing, on Tuesday.

Miss Nicol has not been seen since leaving her Woolverstone Close home, in Ipswich, at 10pm on October 31.

But police last night said they were still treating the inquiry into the whereabouts of the two women as a missing persons inquiry.

This weekend, police are due to be out on the streets of Ipswich issuing posters and leaflets in a bid to trace the women.

Extra high-visibility patrols are being carried out in the areas where the women were known to frequent in the hope finding people with information about the women.

Around 20,000 leaflets have been produced and will be handed out over the next few days. Football supporters attending the Ipswich versus Norwich at Portman Road on Sunday are also set to be approached by police. This is an area where Miss Nicol and Miss Adams were known to work.

Mr Henwood said: “As the days go on, we are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of Tania and Gemma. Their line of work makes them extremely vulnerable and we are working hard to bring these investigations to a satisfactory conclusion.”

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of any of the three women is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

TANIA NICOL

Last seen: Woolverstone Close, Ipswich at 10pm on October 31. There have been unconfirmed sightings of the 19-year-old in the red-light area of the town on the night of her disappearance.

Description: Olive-skinned, 5ft 2in, of slim build with shoulder-length light brown hair, brown eyes and a spotty complexion.

She was last seen wearing a light-coloured top, mid blue cut off jeans and pink high-heeled shoes.

GEMMA ADAMS

Last seen: By her boyfriend when he dropped her off outside the Freemasons Tavern, in Victoria Street, Ipswich at about 10pm on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old's boyfriend raised the alarm when he had not heard from her by 2.55am.

Description: White, 5ft 2in, of slim build with long blonde hair and a spotty complexion.

She was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and high-heeled shoes.