THE search for missing Swindon College lecturer Linda Razzell has extended to Wales, in the hope that she might return to the area where she grew up.

The 41-year-old, who had been going through an acrimonious divorce from her estranged husband Glyn, has not been seen since dropping her four children off at school on Tuesday last week. She was due in court that day to settle financial details of her marriage split.

Mrs Razzell, whose maiden name was Davis, was brought up in Camarthen and visits the town several times a year.

Both her parents are dead but she has close relatives in the area. Her cousin Julie Westmore, of Llanybydder, has travelled to Swindon to look after Mrs Razzell's children Catherine, 14, Matthew, 11, Emma, nine and five-year-old Robin.

Mrs Westmore's husband, Stephen, speaking from Wales said: "It is a very difficult time as you can appreciate. It is possible that Linda may have come back down here.

"She knows the Carmarthen area very well and we and the police have thought of this and any possibility that is where she might be.

"All we can do is wait. We have to try and be positive about it all and hope Linda will contact us to let us know she is well.

"Julie spoke to Linda just a few days before she disappeared and everything was fine. Linda is a very caring mother. She is very loved by everyone."

He explained that the Mrs Razzell split from her husband two years ago.

Mrs Razzell, who lives in Pentylands Close, Highworth with her boyfriend Gregory Worrall, parked her car five minutes walk from Swindon College in Alvescot Road. Her mobile phone was later found in the alley.

Police divers have carried out a search of the lake in nearby Queen's Park and specialist search teams scoured the undergrowth but no trace of her has been found.

On Friday, Linda's boyfriend Mr Worrall made an emotional appeal calling for her to return home or get in touch.

He said: "Linda, if you can see me now, or see this, your children want you to come home and I want you to come home."

The Evening Advertiser has helped the police search by producing posters that have been distributed around the town.

Linda is white, slim with dark curly shoulder length hair which she was wearing in a clip when she was last seen. She has blue eyes and a small scar on the bridge of her nose.

She was wearing grey baggy trousers, a grey shirt-like top, brown slip-on ankle boots and a black coat.

Anyone with information about Linda's whereabouts is asked to contact Swindon police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. All calls will be treated in confidence.