Police are appealing for help to reunite the family of a woman who died after going missing, with her coat.

Christine Clarke's body was found in the Leeds Liverpool Canal close to Frederick's Ice Cream shop, Chorley, on Sunday November 10, after she was reported missing the day before.

The 51-year-old's coat and rucksack had been found in the canal by a passer-by who placed the items at the canal side at around 12.30pm on the Sunday.

However, when officers attended the scene, the coat, which is an extra small, black Superdry parka, with a fur hood, was no longer there.

Her family has now asked for the missing coat to be returned.

Det Insp Dan Onions, of Lancashire Police, said: “Christine’s family are very keen for the missing coat to be returned.

“It holds great sentimental value and if found would offer some comfort at this no doubt difficult and emotional time.

“We would encourage anyone who has the coat to return it to their local police station as soon as possible.

"This is not being treated as a criminal investigation – we would just ask whoever has taken it do the right thing by Christine’s family.”

Christine, from Chorley, was last seen around 5.30am on Saturday November 9 on the A6 near to Frederick’s Ice Cream.

Following extensive searches, officers sadly recovered her body from the Leeds Liverpool Canal on Sunday November 10.

Her death is being treated as unexplained, but is not believed to be suspicious.

Anyone with information about the coat can contact police on 101 or email 935@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 0815 of November 9.