Police searching for a mother and father who are missing with their newborn baby have released an image believed to show the woman about 200 miles from where they were last seen.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, along with their recently born child, are missing after their vehicle broke down near junction four of the M61 near Bolton on Thursday night.

Greater Manchester Police have released a CCTV image thought to show Ms Marten outside Harwich Port in Essex at 9am on Saturday.

“Our concern is to make sure Constance, Mark and baby are safe and well,” the force said.

Essex Police were liaising with GMP to help locate the three people “who they urgently want to find” and officers were carrying out “extensive enquiries” in the area.

After the family went missing, police said evidence suggested that Ms Marten had “very recently given birth and neither her or the baby have been assessed by medical professionals”.

After their vehicle broke down, the family left the motorway and walked towards Anchor Lane bridge, which links the Highfield and Little Hulton areas.

Mr Gordon is described as wearing dark clothing while Ms Marten, who has a southern accent, was wearing a burgundy coat. The baby was swaddled.

GMP’s head of public protection, Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, said: “As a mum, I would like to make a direct appeal to Constance.

“Constance, I know this is an exceptionally hard time for you and you are likely feeling scared, but I promise that our number one priority is the same as yours – to keep your beautiful newborn safe.

“As you know, it’s really important that both you and your baby are assessed by medical professionals as soon as possible, so please make contact with emergency services or make your way to your nearest hospital, wherever that may be.”