THE BODY of a woman found in a Birkenhead dock yesterday afternoon has been confirmed as that of missing Wallasey pensioner Elizabeth Carter.

The Alzheimer's sufferer had been reported missing by her son on Sunday afternoon after she failed to return home from mass at St Hilary's Church.

Mrs Carter, from Leyburn Avenue, had left a handbag containing cash and a cardigan back at the church.

Mrs Carter, who also suffered depression, had gone missing once before on August 5 but was found in New Brighton by her family.

Officers were joined by the force helicopter in the search for Mrs Carter but to no avail.

Then a body was pulled from the East Float Dock in Birkenhead at 4.20pm yesterday afternoon.

Police later confirmed that the body had been officially identified as Mrs Carter.

"Sadly, we are able to confirm that the body pulled from the East Float Dock has been identified as that of missing 66-year-old Elizabeth Carter," said a spokesman.

Police family support officers are liaising with the family.