POLICE said this afternoon that they were becoming increasingly concerned for an 84-year-old missing woman from Oxford.

Molvie Idona Chambers, known as Molly, was shopping in Headington at about 5pm yesterday with her carer when she wandered off.

She was seen at approximately 5.10 pm, around the A40 at Thornhill park-and-ride, walking towards London and then again at 6.55pm on the London Road towards Asda, having just passed Church Road.

Molly is black, about 5ft 1in tall, skinny, with black hair and was wearing a bright purple headscarf. She was wearing a black coat, blue pleated skirt, and black boots.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Molly can get confused and due to her age and vulnerability, officers launched a search operation last night and have been checking many locations since then. However, they have so far been unable to locate Molly and are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Supt Paul Emmings, leading the investigation said: "I am urging members of the public are to keep an eye out and contact police immediately if they believe they see or have seen Molly. I would also like to ask residents to check their gardens and any out-buildings for Molly."