POLICE interviewed almost 200 people during an operation to find missing Inverkip woman Margaret Fleming.

A team of officers spoke to local residents in Inverkip, Wemyss Bay and across the water in Port Bannatyne in their latest bid to trace her.

The vulnerable 36-year-old was reported missing from her home on October 28, sparking a major search involving police divers, dog and mounted branches.

Police took to the streets and questioned 180 people across the three villages.

Chief Inspector Elliot Brown, area commander for Inverclyde, said: “In terms of the number of people we spoke to it was a positive response. 

“We have to go through all the interactions and we are working through them at the moment.

“I want to thank everyone for their continued support and for giving us their time.

“It was a very cold day and I think this shows the strength of feeling in the local community.”

Margaret was last seen by her carers at her home on Inverkip Main Street and police have also been searching her home in a bid to find anything that might lead them to where she is. The investigation has been hampered by the fact that Margaret appears to be a very private person and hasn’t been seen in public for some time.

Chief Insp Brown said: “I would urge anyone, after reading about the appeal in the Telegraph, to contact police on 101 if they have any information.” 

When last seen, Margaret was said to have been wearing a green-coloured fleece or jumper, dark coloured jeans or trousers and ‘Karrimor’ type boots which were dark in colour.

She also had a satchel-type handbag.