POLICE believe a woman's body found in the River Mersey near Seacombe Ferry Terminal is that of a missing mum from Warrington.

Helen O’Brien was last seen on Lime Tree Avenue in Stockton Heath at around 10pm on Wednesday, September 25.

Officers investigating the 34-year-old's disappearance were alerted to a body in the Mersey near to Seacombe Ferry Terminal shortly after 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the coastguard and North West Ambulance Service then recovered a woman's body from the river shortly before 5.30pm.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious by police.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "Officers searching for a woman from Warrington have discovered a body.

"The body was found in the Mersey near Seacombe, Wirral, at around 5.20pm yesterday, Wednesday.

"Formal identification has not been confirmed, however it is believed to be that of missing woman Helen O’Brien.

"Her family have been informed and are being supported by officers.

"The death is not believed to be suspicious at the current time and a case file will be prepared for the coroner."

Extensive searches have been carried out across the town since Helen, also known as Helen Reilly, went missing last week.

Emergency services were seen near to the Cantilever Bridge on Friday, September 27, in connection with the investigation.

A Merseyside Police spokesman earlier said: "We can confirm that a woman's body was discovered in the Mersey near Seacombe Ferry Terminal.

"Emergency services were called at around 1.35pm to a report that the body of a woman had been seen in the water.

"Officers, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the coastguard and North West Ambulance Service attended and the woman was removed from the water near Seacombe Ferry Terminal at around 5.20pm.

"She was pronounced dead at the scene and enquiries are ongoing to identify the woman and notify her next of kin."