RICHARD PARR The father of missing Norfolk holidaymaker Lucy Gutteridge has made an emotional appeal for his daughter to make contact with her family.Paul Gutteridge believes his 24-year-old daughter, who is struggling with a depressive illness, will make contact with her family once she realises what she had done.

RICHARD PARR

The father of missing Norfolk holidaymaker Lucy Gutteridge has made an emotional appeal for his daughter to make contact with her family.

Paul Gutteridge believes his 24-year-old daughter, who is struggling with a depressive illness, will make contact with her family once she realises what she had done.

“I don't think Lucy has gone into the sea but I think she has probably gone away from the area. I would urge her to get in touch with us and let us know she is safe,” said Mr Gutteridge.

He was speaking as he and Lucy's partner, Dave Mordue , travelled home to the Nottingham area. Lucy's mother, Sue, had been at home by the telephone waiting for news.

An extensive sea, air and land search was launched along the North Norfolk coastline early on Wednesday after Lucy was reported missing from her tent at the High Sands Creek caravan park at Stiffkey. She was last seen 2am by her partner but when he woke up at 6am she had gone.

Police confirmed that Lucy is on medication but she had not taken it with her when she left the park. She had not taken her mobile phone with her.

“Lucy's had a problem like a depression but she has been fine for two years but has been struggling a bit lately. She had been to the doctors and was given medication. She had been in distress but was getting better,” said Mr Gutteridge.

Lucy and her partner had been to the Cambridge Folk Festival and arrived at Stiffkey on Monday. She sent a text message to her parents at 10.30pm and told them she had been out for a lovely meal and was going to bed.

Mr Gutteridge said he had a parental hunch that Lucy will suddenly realise what she has done and make contact with her family.

“I feel she has gone out of the North Norfolk area and got on a train or a bus”, he said.

Lucy is described as 5ft 4ins tall and of medium build. She wears a nose ring and has a tattoo on her lower middle back. She is likely to wearing blue jeans and possibly brown boots and a light blue cheese cloth shirt. It is possible she has a light blue fleece with her.

Police have appealed for anyone who knows the whereabouts of Lucy or believes they may have seen her to contact them on 0845 4564567.