A body believed to be that of a missing British woman has been found in southern Spain follwoing a massive search effort.

A hunt was launched for 73-year-old Geraldine Ann after she vanished from her home in Chirivel near Granada on September 17.

She reportedly left the property late at night in pyjamas and flip-flops to feed some cats following a row with her husband, who reported her missing the following day.

A body has now been found hidden under vegetation by a motorway.

Police are reportedly awaiting the results of definitive DNA tests this morning but sources confirmed signs were pointing to the dead woman being Geraldine.

Chirivel Town Hall said in a statement: “We profoundly regret to have to inform you that a body has been found by the A-92 motorway thought be that of our neighbour Geraldine, pending official confirmation from the authorities.”

A massive search was launched for the missing Brit, who lived in a hamlet called Contador in the Chirivel district, including drones officials and volunteers.

Speaking at the time of her disappearance, the mayor of Chirivel, Jose Torregrosa Mota, said: “She suffered from senile dementia and the night she went missing she'd apparently had a small argument with her husband and left home.”

He also thanked the Civil Guard and local police from both Chirivel and the neighbouring municipality of Cullar where Geraldine’s body is now thought to have been found, just over a mile from her home.

Search efforts saw sniffer dogs along with a specialist mountain rescue Civil Guard unit called the GREIM deployed.

Volunteers including other British expats also reportedly joined the search for the missing OAP, after news of her disappearance spread on social media and via a Spanish missing persons association called SOS Desaparecidos.

Following a month of intense searching an appeal from her local municipality said: “Although the advanced control room is no longer operative, the search goes on.

“We call on everyone, especially farmers and sports enthusiasts to keep their eyes peeled.”

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