DETECTIVES probing the disappearance of missing woman Margaret Fleming say the search at her home will last for several more weeks.

Margaret was reported missing at the end of October - but it later emerged that she had not been seen in public for 17 years.

A major operation has been ongoing since she was reported missing by her carers on October 28, but no trace of her has been found at her Inverkip home.

A police spokeswoman told the Telegraph: “Enquiries are very much ongoing and searches at the house are still continuing, and have been throughout the festive period.

“This is expected to last for several weeks.”

Margaret, 36, has learning difficulties and lived with her carers Edward Cairney, 75, and Avril Jones, 56, in a cottage in the village.

Specialist forensic police teams have been deployed to search the house and a digger was brought in to dig a 12-foot trench in the garden.

There has been speculation surrounding Margaret’s carers as they were the last people to see her. Allegations have been made that people who visited the couple at the cottage and went on holiday with them were unaware that Margaret ever lived there.

But Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone, who is leading the investigation, said the pair are not under suspicion.

He said: “There is no evidence of any crime having been committed.

“I have no evidence to contradict what the carers are telling us.”

The DCI has confirmed that Margaret was initially reported missing after police made a joint visit to the property with the social work department. 

Margaret lived with her father Frederick in Port Glasgow until his death in 1995.

She then lived with her grandparents and mother Margaret until moving in with her carers in 1997.

Anyone who has information which could assist the inquiry team should call police on 101 and report it.