A search operation has been launched after a 56-year-old woman and her dog failed to return home from a walk in Snowdonia, northwest Wales.

North Wales Police (NWP) are appealing for information after Ausra Plungiene was reported missing on Tuesday.

Officers have released photos of Ms Plungiene and her black dog and have asked the public to report any sightings to them.

A police spokesman said officers were working with Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team and the RAF Search and Rescue to try to locate Ms Plungiene, who lives in the Prestatyn area.

A man who said he was Ms Plungiene’s son on the NWP’s Facebook page said she had parked in Rowen which is a small village in the Eryri National Park.

However, it is not known which direction the keen hiker was heading in and she has not been seen by other people in the area since.

It is believed Ms Plungiene may have been wearing a dark pink or purple padded jacket, black leggings and blue shoes.

Superintendent Owain Llewellyn said: “We are extremely concerned for Ausra’s safety and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen her or has any information on her whereabouts to get in touch.

“A number of resources were deployed throughout the night to try to find her.

“Her vehicle was located in a remote car park in Rowen shortly after midnight so we are working to establish which route she may have taken.

“Searches are continuing across the area this morning – involving a number of resources including air support, and due to the current inclement weather conditions, I would ask members of the public not to conduct their own searches, and allow our Mountain Rescue colleagues to continue their enquiries”.

One person commenting on the Facebook post said the weather had been dry in the morning but “turned awful” in the afternoon.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind in parts of North Wales on Tuesday afternoon.

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NWP posted on their social media accounts: “Concerns for Ausra Plungiene, 56 yrs, who went walking with her dog in Snowdonia, 11th April and is now missing.

“Any sightings/information please ring NWP on 101 quoting incident no A052734.”

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