SPECIALIST searches to find a Hampshire woman believed to have fallen into the water from a wheelchair have been called off.

Police confirmed this afternoon that they have “exhausted” all the specialist searches along the River Test, after concerns were raised for the welfare of a woman.

Officers were called into action when the 54-year-old woman, from the local area, was last seen by the river's edge by workmen leaving a nearby home.

At the scene they found her wheelchair but no sign of the woman, who is understood to be paralysed from the waist down due to multiple sclerosis, which she has suffered with for 20 years.

A major search was launched by police, who drafted in other agencies, including the Marine Unit, to scour the river on Tuesday evening and throughout yesterday.

Nothing was found and the investigation has now been classed as a missing person inquiry, but police will not be launching a formal appeal or identifying the woman.

Inspector Paul Markham from Romsey Police Station said: “Officers from our specialist search team have been carrying out extensive searches along the River Test following a report of an empty wheelchair close to the bank.

“Sadly, all indications do suggest that this woman has fallen into the River Test. It is part of an ongoing investigation which we now consider to be a missing person case. We are working closely with the family to provide them with support.”

The incident is not being treated as suspicious.