A HUSBAND has made an appeal for his missing wife to return home safely.

Christine Maling, 56, was last seen on Monday when her husband Philip left for work at about 6.45am.

When he returned home to Mickleburgh Avenue, Herne Bay, later that morning he found a note from his wife explaining she had gone for a walk in Beltinge and would then go to her mother’s in Thurlow Avenue for 11am, as she had told her mother in a phone call earlier that morning.

Age Concern worker Mrs Maling never arrived at her mother’s house and after searching nearby coastal paths Mr Maling raised the alarm and reported her missing to police.

He explained: “She has been going through a hormonal change and that may have been one of the things that caused her clinical depression.

“She took an overdose some days ago and was in hospital. She came out and saw a psychiatrist and they said she should be okay. They put her on medication to help her sleep and to level her out.

“We had been to her dad’s 80th birthday party on the Sunday. I went to work early on Monday morning. I knew I would be back by 11am so I thought she would be okay.

“I suppose looking back I could have suggested she stay at her mother’s.”

Mr Maling and his two sons Darren, 30, and Scott, 29, have all been given leave from their jobs and have spent the last few days visiting areas they know appealed to nature-lover Mrs Maling.

“I went to Reculver car park and I walked all along the coast back to town. My son went to Minnis Bay and covered that bit of coast.

“My sons have gone out to forests and places that she likes to visit.”

The family have also made flyers featuring Mrs Maling’s picture, which they have distributed across the town, although Mr Maling feels it is unlikely she would be in a populated area.

He said: “She has a fear of crowds and I doubt she would go anywhere where there are a lot of people. I did hire a helicopter and fly over the town looking for her just in case.”

Mr Maling admitted there is a possibility that his wife may have wanted to get away to gather her thoughts but added: “If I knew she was OK and didn’t want to come home I would understand, but I don’t think that’s the case because she doesn’t really know anybody.

“The worry is she could have fallen down or gone to sleep somewhere and be getting weaker and weaker.

“If she is staying away on purpose I would like her to know that we all love her and just want to know she is alright. We want her to come home.”

A police spokesman confirmed they are searching for Mrs Maling and said: “Christine is described as 5ft 5ins tall with dark brown shoulder length, curly hair. She has blue eyes, wears glasses and has a pale complexion. It is thought that Christine may be wearing a grey leather jacket, and possibly has a black leather handbag.”

Anyone with information about Christine Maling’s whereabouts should contact the duty manager at Canterbury Police on 01227 762055.