The family of missing woman Melita Hachey have told of their 'living nightmare' a week after she vanished in the Borders .
The 30-year-old was last seen in Livingstone Place, Galashiels, on the afternoon of Friday February 21.
A large scale police search has been launched with specialist drones drafted in to scour the land near Paxton House on the River Tweed .
Officers believe Melita may have travelled to the Leaderfoot area via Gattonside or Melrose and are asking motorists who may have been in the area to get in touch.
Her heartbroken family have today released a new photograph and statement through Police Scotland saying they are ‘waiting with open arms’ for her to return.
They said: “The last week has been a living nightmare. We just want Melita to be with her family, safe.
“Melita, if you are reading this, we need you to know how deeply loved you are, we are lost without you and desperately need you back with us.
“Nothing matters more than that and our arms are open waiting for you to be with us.”
Melita is described as white, around 5ft 5 inches in height, with a slim build and shoulder-length brown hair styled in a bob.
She was last seen wearing a dark coloured parka style jacket with a fur trimmed hood, blue jeans and white trainers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via 101 at Galashiels Police Station, quoting incident number 640 of 22 February 2020.
