Dog expert reveals clues in the behaviour of missing Nicola Bulley's pet

Searches for missing mother Nicola Bulley have entered a 16th day after her heartbroken partner said his "gut instinct" is that she is not in the river.

Lancashire Police said officers are keeping an "open mind" while continuing to appeal for information about Ms Bulley, who disappeared on January 27 while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre.

Dog expert Colin Tennant says there could be clues in the behaviour of her pet, he said:

"If this dog was used to swimming and only the family would know that, then the chances are if she had gone into the water the dog would of gone in after her. Not necessarily to save her but the dog was used to playing in water, but the dog was found dry at the side of the bank."

The force is continuing to search the River Wyre towards the sea at Morecambe Bay, working on one hypothesis that the 45-year-old, from Inskip, could have fallen in.

Their search has been aided by specialists and divers from HM Coastguard, mountain rescue, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, with sniffer dogs, drones, and police helicopters deployed.

Ms Bulley vanished while walking her springer spaniel Willow near the river, shortly after dropping her daughters, aged six and nine, at school.

The mortgage adviser's phone was found on a bench overlooking the river, still connected to a work call.

Her partner, Paul Ansell said he wants to keep "all options open" about her disappearance, but his "gut instinct" tells him she is not in the river.

He described Ms Bulley as "fun", "loving", "the most loyal friend you could ever have" and an "exceptional mum" who "absolutely adores our girls".

"She's just a pillar of strength to our family and without her, the hole is bigger than you can possibly imagine," he told 5 News.