POLICE searching for a missing elderly Aberaeron woman have found a body at her property.

The missing woman, who has been named locally as Gaynor Jones, is thought to be in her early 80s and has not been seen at the family home in Dolheulog, off Panteg Road, for several months.

Mrs Jones was only discovered missing when her daughter Valerie was found collapsed at their home.

Valerie, who is in her 50s, was taken to hospital after officers responding to a call found her collapsed in the house last Monday.

She was understood to be in poor health and was taken to Bronglais Hospital at 12.30pm after police acted on a tip-off from neighbours who raised concerns for their welfare.

The house was described as ‘heavily cluttered’ and people living nearby said the pair were reclusive.

One said: “They are a well-known Aberaeron family who keep themselves to themselves and certainly do not seem to welcome visitors.

“Valerie is a single woman who has been living alone with her mother since her father passed away several years ago. What has happened there is all a bit of a mystery.”

Local county councillor Elizabeth Evans said she had known Mrs Jones and her daughter all her life.

“The most important thing at the moment is that Valerie is safe and in hospital,” she told the Cambrian News. “We are now just hoping that her mother will also be found safe and well.”

A heavy Dyfed-Powys Police presence remained in the lane where the women live on Monday afternoon.

Police confirmed on Tuesday that a body had been found and they were treating the death as “unexplained”.

A police spokesperson said: “On Monday, 12 March, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the welfare of two women from the Aberaeron area.

“On police attendance at the property one female was taken to hospital.

“Following a search of the property the remains of a body have been found. The death is currently being treated as unexplained.

“H M Coroner has been informed.­”