Missing Nicola Payne: Police Search Woodland

Police investigating the disappearance of a young mother 22 years ago are searching a small area of land and woods.

Officers from West Midlands Police have cordoned off a site on the nature reserve in Binley, Coventry, in connection with the disappearance of Nicola Payne.

Specially trained search officers are due to examine the area, the force said.

Ms Payne went missing after leaving on foot from her home in Coventry on December 14, 1991.

Despite extensive inquiries, 18-year-old Ms Payne - who had a seven-month-old baby son at the time, has never been seen again.

Detective Inspector Martin Slevin, who is leading the inquiry into Ms Payne's disappearance, said: "The area of land being looked at is as a result of ongoing inquiries into the disappearance of Nicola in December 1991.

"At this stage it is a preliminary search of an area of interest to us."

Two 49-year-old men and a woman, aged 51, who were arrested in December 2013 in connection with the investigation, remain on police bail while inquiries are ongoing.

Ms Payne's family are aware of the latest developments.