Lauren Phillips missing: Major search under way for junior doctor last seen two weeks ago

A major search is under way to find a junior doctor who has been missing for two weeks.

Dr Lauren Phillips, 26, who works in the A&E department at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, has not been seen since February 23.

Avon and Somerset Police said Dr Phillips, who is also a talented violinist with the Bristol Symphony Orchestra, failed to turn up for her shift on February 26.

Her car was located at the popular north Devon beach resort Woolacombe two days later.

Searches of the area have been carried out by Devon and Cornwall Police assisted by HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the National Police Air Service but no trace of her has been found.

Dr Phillips, who lives in Bristol, is described as white, 5ft 5ins tall, of slim build with brown eyes.

She has long dark brown hair which is usually straightened but which is naturally curly.

It is thought she may be wearing a dark brown waxed cotton mid-length coat with cream wool-lined hood and a long cream woollen cardigan which has orange and blue detail.

She could also be wearing Converse trainers along with cream gloves with pink hearts on and a beige woollen hat which has a purple flower on the side.

Detective Inspector Mark Langdon, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "As Lauren's car was found in Woolacombe our focus has been on the north Devon area and so we're directing our appeal at any surfers or ramblers who may have passed through the area in the past fortnight.”

The North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Southmead Hospital, urged anyone with information about Dr Phillips's disappearance to contact police.

"Lauren is a valued member of our team and we are supporting the police in their efforts to find her," a spokeswoman said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police via 101 providing the call handler with the reference 5217045398.