Margaret Holt: British Grandmother Missing In Lanzarote

Missing British Grandmother 'May Have Fallen While Hiking In Lanzarote'

A search and rescue operation is due to resume today for a British pensioner who vanished during a hiking trip in Lanzarote.

Fears are growing for the welfare of Margaret Holt, 65, from the Wirral, who was last seen on the Canary Island on December 23.

Her worried family contacted the Spanish Civil Guard to raise the alarm after she failed to make contact with them over Christmas.

They are now in the country helping the large-scale search operation which has seen a dog team, rescue helicopters and volunteers join the hunt.

Wendy Banks, Mrs Holt's daughter-in-law, wrote on a Facebook page appealing for information about her whereabouts: "She is a very fit woman who thinks nothing of walking 20 miles per day. She loves coastal paths.

"We have her passport, cards etc from her room so know she only intended to go for a walk.

"Her mobile phone is with her but not working. We really believe she had a fall walking."

Mrs Holt was seen leaving her hotel in the resort of Costa Teguise on the morning of December 23 wearing a light pink vest, khaki shorts, walking sandals and a drawstring bag.

She was spotted later in the afternoon in the northerly Orzola region of the island but has not been seen since.

The Foreign Office confirmed it had been informed about the disappearance.

"The Spanish authorities are carrying out a search coordinated by the Civil Guard and local emergency services," said a FCO spokesman.

"Staff from the British Consulate are in contact with the authorities and the family."

Anyone with any information about Mrs Holt is asked to contact the Spanish authorities.