Huge Search For Brit Tourist In Italian Lakes

Police and mountain rescue teams have been searching for a British woman who has been missing for more than 10 days in the Italian Lakes.

Glenys Turner, 46, was last seen by fellow holidaymakers after returning from a coach trip to a local beauty spot. She should have left for home last week.

The alarm was raised after staff at the hotel where she was staying noticed her room had not been slept in for three days.

Police were immediately called and launched a search using dogs, alpine rescue teams and a helicopter.

Mrs Turner, who was travelling on her own, had arrived at Griante on the western shores of Lake Como on October 4 for a week's break, checking into the three-star Grand Hotel Britannia.

Police said that she had taken part in an organised coach trip with other holidaymakers to Saint Moritz over the border in nearby Switzerland three days after arriving and that was the last time she was seen.

Staff at the hotel said Mrs Turner, from Derby, had asked about a trail leading from the town up to a small chapel called San Martino - a well-known beauty spot 600ft high.

The trail is popular with visiting British holidaymakers, although difficult in places.

Staff became concerned after noticing her bed had not been used and that her passport and money were also untouched, as well as her clothes.

Carabinieri police official Gaspare Pupella said: "We have searched the area around San Martino chapel and other trails, but there is no trace of her.

"We know that she asked about the walk to San Martino and she was advised not to go on her own but it is not certain she actually went.

"The last positive sighting of her was on October 7 and since then nothing.

"We have been in touch with the British consulate in Milan and they have informed the next of kin as well.

"At this stage there is nothing to suggest foul play and the feeling is she may well have fallen along one of the trails."

Thomas Whieldon, manager of the Britannia, said: "Everyone is very upset by this. We checked with her electronic key card and saw that she had not been in the room for several days and that is when we alerted police.

"She was due to catch a coach back to the airport with another group of British holidaymakers but she did not turn up.

"We also contacted her next of kin in England but they had no information about her either.

"We have handed footage as well from the CCTV in the hotel which the police are working through as well to see if they can see her."

Lake Como is popular with British holidaymakers this time of year as the weather is still good and there are several picturesque walks in the foothills of the Alps that ring the area.