A 50-year-old woman who had been missing for more than a week in Felixstowe has been found. 

Police launched a huge search and rescue mission to find Louise Billingham on Wednesday, August 2, after she was reported missing to police the previous day.

A spokesman for Suffolk police confirmed she has since been found. 

"Police would like to thank the media and the public for their help," the spokesman added.

Ms Billingham was first reported missing to Suffolk police on Tuesday, August 1. 

Ipswich Star: The Coastguard searched Felixstowe for Ms BillinghamThe Coastguard searched Felixstowe for Ms Billingham (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Her disappearance sparked a huge emergency services callout, with police, a Coastguard helicopter and RNLI boats all spotted searching the local area and coast.

During the search, Ms Billingham's wheelchair was located on Felixstowe seafront.

People were asked to avoid the area while a cordon was in place on the seafront.

Officers started to carry out phone analysis, as well as CCTV and door-to-door enquiries in the coastal town, as they looked to find her in the days that followed.

A spokesman for Suffolk police confirmed on Wednesday this week that officers were still searching for Ms Billingham, eight days after she was last seen. 

Ipswich Star: Emergency services on Felixstowe seafrontEmergency services on Felixstowe seafront (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The community of Felixstowe was left shocked by the disappearance of Ms Billingham.

Felixstowe Mayor Seamus Bennett said at the time: "I am very concerned and I very much hope that this person is found safe and well and I hope that the emergency services can bring a good outcome to this."

Susan Lindsey, shift leader at The Alex Café Bar and Brasserie on the seafront, added: "The reaction has been one of concern really. Everyone who has been in this morning has said they hope she is found, as you would expect."

Ryan Sanders, assistant manager at the Spa Pavilion, said: "I would say the reaction has been one of shock. It is a rare occasion that something like this happens."