A male lodger could hold vital information about a Gorleston woman who vanished 27 years ago.

Theresa Gathercole walked out of her home in Upper Cliff Road, Gorleston in a 'distressed' state towards the beach on January 29, 1985.

She was reported missing by her husband, Derek.

Police are reviewing this and other cold cases in an attempt to end the pain and suffering of scores of families who are desperately hoping to be reunited with their loved ones – or at least be given the closure of finding out what has happened to them.

Mrs Gathercole grew up in the Gorleston area and at the time of her disappearance she was living in Upper Cliff Road with her husband and two lodgers.

Police have traced the female lodger and are appealing for the male to come forward. Det Insp Andy Guy, from Norfolk Constabulary, said: 'We are trying to trace a male lodger who was living there at the time.

'There's no suggestion that he had anything to do with her disappearance.

'Theresa has had a disagreement (on the day she disappeared). She had an unusual domestic circumstance.

'Since reviewing the case, we have had one call regarding Theresa which has been helpful.'

Mr and Mrs Gathercole had a daughter, Linda, who died when she was a baby in 1979.

Her maiden name was Horne but she sometimes used the name Walters.

Mrs Gathercole was wearing a white coat with blue stripes, a blue sweatshirt, a green checked skirt and knee-high brown fur-topped boots. Her coat was found on a wall in Beach Road the day after she vanished.

At the time she was described as being 5ft 3ins tall, of slim build, with green eyes and medium length fair hair. Det Insp Guy added: 'Her personal life was very chaotic and she'd had an upsetting day. We are reviewing all of the missing persons in Norfolk and Suffolk and Theresa Gathercole is one of those.

'We have been reviewing cases for the past two or three months and it will take quite some time.'

Det Insp Guy said there were 80 missing people in Norfolk, five of whom have been found since they renewed their appeals.

DC Gary Fisher, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, appealed directly, saying: 'If Theresa herself is still alive and becomes aware of this appeal, then I can guarantee that should she contact us any information would be dealt with in the strictest confidence.'

DC Fisher would also like to hear from anyone who knows what happened to Theresa or her current whereabouts. Call on 01953 424522. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

lucy.wright@archant.co.uk