Police have widened the hunt for Gaynor Lord with search teams spotted further along the river from Wensum Park, where the initial investigation started.

Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley confirmed that an underwater drone was being used to trawl the river around a sluice gate at New Mills Yard – about 500 meters from where the missing mother-of-three is believed to have entered the water.

Officers were seen at New Mills Yard on Thursday, six days after Gaynor went missing, as teams searched the water between the site and Wensum Park.

The 55-year-old has not been seen since last Friday afternoon, when she left her job at Jarrolds department store early and was captured on CCTV hurrying across Norwich city centre.

Norwich Evening News: Divers in the River Wensum are searching for the missing Gaynor LordDivers in the River Wensum are searching for the missing Gaynor Lord (Image: Norfolk Police)

Norwich Evening News: Gaynor Lord has been missing since last FridayGaynor Lord has been missing since last Friday (Image: Bob Hobbs)

READ MORE: Gaynor Lord often walked her dog in spot she went missing, says friends

Police started their search at Wensum Park after items belonging to Gaynor, including jewellery and clothing, were found at various locations across the grounds on Friday evening.

Initially, detectives focused the hunt in the water around the park but they have now expanded the investigation.

A worker for Anglian Water, who did not want to be named, confirmed seeing police at New Mills Yard.

READ MORE: Police 'not able to establish' state of mind of missing Gaynor Lord

Norwich Evening News: Gaynor LordGaynor Lord (Image: Norfolk police)

He said: “The police have a mammoth task to find her.

“It’s a harrowing situation for the family to have to deal with so close to Christmas.”

Specialist divers from Lincolnshire have joined the search and sonar is also being used to help find the missing mother.

READ MORE: New CCTV footage shows last sighting of Gaynor Lord as 'difficult' search continues

Search teams were also seen combining waste ground close to Wensum Park on Thursday morning, which police said was to be thorough in their investigation. 

Gaynor is described as white, 5ft 6 tall and has blonde shoulder-length hair in a bob.

Anyone with information or who knows of her whereabouts should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 quoting incident number 427 of December 8.

Norwich Evening News: Police searching for the missing womanPolice searching for the missing woman (Image: Chris Bishop)Norwich Evening News: Police searching for the missing womanPolice searching for the missing woman (Image: Chris Bishop / Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Press being briefed by the police at Wensum ParkPress being briefed by the police at Wensum Park (Image: Chris Bishop)