THE sister-in-law of missing Veronica Reynolds is appealing for help in finding her on the eve of the anniversary of the pensioner's disappearance.

Mrs Reynolds, 70, of Hollybush Avenue, Malpas, Newport, was reported missing on August 13 last year - but despite extensive searches, she has never been found.

Her late husband's sister, Ann Read, told the Argus: "I think the hardest part is not knowing where she is.

"After all this time I could accept whatever happens, but I just want to know."

Mrs Read, from Duffryn, added: "I still miss her now as much as a year ago.

"I've still got sad feelings. I thought it would get better as time went on, but it doesn't."

Mrs Reynolds had been married to her brother for 40 years, until he died in 1997.

Mrs Read said: "When he died, we were still in regular contact by phone.

"We used to see each other at Christmas, on her birthday, my birthday and my husband's birthday.

"The last time I saw her was shortly after her birthday on 22 July. I saw her on the 26 and I had no cause for concern.

"I asked her if I should bring a bottle, but she said she didn't think so because she was on some different tablets and wasn't supposed to drink.

"I wasn't concerned about her health, she just seemed normal.

"In the beginning, every time I had a phone call I thought it was because they had found her.

"There is no reason at all she would go off without telling anyone, absolutely none. When they started digging up the fields behind her house, I really thought they were going to find her.

"I thought she could have gone for a walk on a nice evening, slipped down a hole and been covered up.

"That would have been a reasonable explanation.

"We've got to hope somebody will read this and remember something."