Police have solved one of Britain's longest running missing person cases after a woman was found alive and well following an appeal - 52 years on. 

Sheila Fox had last been seen in Coventry city centre when she was just aged just 16 in 1972.

West Midlands Police said at the time she disappeared, she was living with her parents and may have been in a relationship with an older man.

The force launched a reappeal to help solve the case on Sunday (27/12) after more than five decades.

They had said they were keeping an "open mind" and believed she had perhaps simply moved out of the area and not told anyone despite there being no trace of her.

Today (Wed) police revealed Sheila, now 68, has been found and spoken to, with officers confirming she is alive and well in another part of the country.

A photo of Sheila was recently shared on social media by West Midlands Police (image via SWNS)

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We are delighted to announce the conclusion of one of West Midlands Police's longest-running missing person investigations.

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"We recently published a renewed appeal to help find Sheila Fox, who went missing from Coventry in 1972.

"A single photo of Sheila from around the time of her disappearance was found by officers investigating and published on our website and social media.

"Within hours of the appeal, members of the public got in touch with information which led the team to her.

"Sheila was confirmed to be safe and well and living in another part of the country, finally resolving one of the longest running missing person cases we have investigated".

Detective Sergeant Jenna Shaw, from the force's Cold Case Investigation Team, said: "We're absolutely delighted to have found Sheila after more than five decades.

"We searched through every piece of evidence we could find and managed to locate a photo of Sheila.

"We are a small team of officers and I'd like to recognise the work of DC Shaun Reeve, who managed to resolve this case with help from the public.

"Every missing person has a story, and their families and friends deserve to know what happened to them and, hopefully, be reunited with them."

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