A body has been found in the search for a missing woman who was last seen walking towards a beach in Lancashire almost three months ago.

Katie Foulds, 22, from Blackburn, vanished on February 10 after she was spotted walking along the South Promenade in the coastal town of St Annes.

Footage from a drone later captured a figure walking towards the sea, although Lancashire Constabulary was unable to determine whether this was Ms Foulds.

Police today confirmed that a body pulled from the docks at Bootle, Merseyside, on April 19 was that of the missing woman.

Katie’s heartbroken mother Rachel has paid tribute to her daughter on Facebook.

She said: ‘It’s with great sadness and a heavy heart I want to announce that a body was recovered from the sea last Monday and has now been identified as my beloved daughter, Katie.

‘I just want to thank everyone for their loving support and kind wishes throughout this sorrowful time, especially those who went looking for her when she first went missing. RIP Katie.’

The body was pulled from the sea on April 19, and confirmed to be Katie after a Home Office post mortem initially proved inconclusive.

Police were able to identify the body following further testing.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said: ‘We were called around 5.30pm on April 19 to reports a body had been found at the docks at Bootle, Merseyside.

‘A Home Office post mortem was conducted to help identify the body and initially proved inconclusive.

‘However, following further tests, we can now confirm the body found is Katie, 22, who went missing from home in Blackburn on February 10 and was seen later that day in St Annes.’

Officers added that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The statement said: ‘Katie’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers.

‘These are very sad and tragic circumstances and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.’

Source:DailyMail