A family have spoken out about the grief caused by the disappearance of a New Malden grandmother.

Annette Francis-Chridi, 56, went missing in Raynes Park just after Christmas and has not been seen since.

This week her daughter Sacha Francis said: “I have to keep myself together for the sake of the children. My six-year-old is crying every night because she misses her nan.”

The family continue to hunt for Mrs Francis-Chridi, who went missing while staying at a friend’s house in Vernon Avenue, Raynes Park on December 28.

The 56-year-old’s case has now been taken on by local charity Missing People, with posters highlighting her disappearance appearing as far away as Cardiff.

Ms Francis, a therapist from Tadworth, said her mother’s disappearance is completely out of character, and called for the police to do more to track her down.

She accused officers of being slow to react to the disappearance - although the detective in charge of the case said he has been doing everything possible to find her.

Mrs Francis-Chridi had recently been on holiday to Spain, and was due to move to a new house in New Malden with her husband when she vanished in December.

Ms Francis said: “When her husband first called me I thought ‘she’s probably just gone shopping or to see a friend’. I said to him just give her time.”

Since then there have been possible sightings in Chessington and on Underground trains, but no definite information as to where the missing woman has gone.

“I just feel powerless,” said Ms Francis.

Missing People, a national charity based in East Sheen, has publicised the disappearance on television programmes and in magazines.

This weekend three journalists from our sister newspaper the Richmond and Twickenham Times, will tackle the London Marathon to raise funds for the charity.

• To sponsor their effort visit justgiving.com/rttmarathon