'Ferry fall' woman named by police

A woman believed to have fallen overboard from a ferry in the English Channel has been named by police as they appeal for information into her disappearance.

Sarah Fenton, from Fishponds, Bristol, was last seen by her husband at around 5.30pm on Sunday as they travelled on a Condor Rapide ferry from Guernsey to Poole.

The crew of the ferry, which was carrying 264 passengers, raised the alarm at 5.35pm after Ms Fenton was reported missing.

The British and French coastguard, as well as RNLI lifeboats from Alderney and Weymouth and a search plane from the Channel Islands, were last night searching the route of the ferry to find the 39-year-old but the search was suspended at 10pm and later called off.

Police in Poole, Dorset, are now seeking the public's help as they investigate her disappearance.

Detective Inspector Becky Riggs said: "Sarah's family are very concerned about her and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

"I am appealing to anyone who may have seen Sarah on board the ferry to contact me urgently. Anyone with information should call us as soon as possible."

The ferry had departed Jersey at 2.30pm before travelling to Guernsey. It left for Poole at 4.15pm.

Nigel Robson, Portland Coastguard watch manager, said last night: "We have searched the route of the ship and the areas where our search planning expertise indicate a person might have been carried by the tide.

"Sadly, we have found no-one."