Fears continue to grow for a 73-year-old dementia sufferer last seen two days ago at a roadside cafe.

Police teams and specialist search crews are scouring land near the Gate Services off the A2 at Dunkirk, near Canterbury.

Paulina Manfredini was seen there at 2.45pm on Saturday – almost six hours before she was reported missing.

At 12.20pm on the same day she was spotted in London Road, St Dunstan’s, about a mile from her home in the Downs Road area of the city.

The police helicopter has been involved in the search for Mrs Manfredini, along with officers and volunteers from Kent Search and Rescue.

Inspector Terry Chuter has appealed for people to contact police immediately if they see anyone matching her description.

“There have been no confirmed sightings of Mrs Manfredini since Saturday afternoon,” she said.

“The temperature dropped below freezing on Saturday night and there was heavy rain on Sunday night. We are extremely concerned for her welfare.”

Mrs Manfredini was wearing a brown overcoat, a beige skirt and odd-coloured socks.

She was carrying a Sainsbury’s carrier bag and a handbag.

She is known to have links to the Medway towns, Margate and Sittingbourne.

Police believe she may have potentially headed towards an address in the Darland Avenue area of Gillingham.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting 05-1265.