An 81-year-old woman who went missing near Aldeburgh was found alive in the sea off Dunwich beach.

Officers found Judith Gibbon at a beach in Dunwich at around 9pm on Sunday.

Fears were raised for her safety by her husband who called police at around 4.30pm after Mrs Gibbon failed to turn up at their daughter’s home in Aldeburgh.

Mrs Gibbon’s bicycle was found abandoned between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, a police spokesman said.

Officers launched a hunt to find the 81-year-old, calling on the Coastguard to help in the search.

The spokesman added: “The Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue Team and Coastguard assisted officers and at around 9pm she was located on the beach at Dunwich.”

Aldeburgh Coastguard Rescue Team and Aldeburgh RNLI Inshore Lifeboat searched the shoreline and inshore waters.

A spokeswoman for the Coastguard added: “Eventually the lady was spotted by the lifeboat crew at 9pm in the surf at Dunwich, seven miles north of where the bicycle was found.

“The lady was conscious but severely hypothermic when rescued.”

The Search and Rescue Sea King helicopter from Wattisham was called to airlift Mrs Gibbon to Ipswich Hospital.

The Coastguard spokeswoman added: “We are all very pleased to have found this person alive after such a long time missing and so far from her last known position.

“Our search and rescue units have done a remarkable job.”