The detective leading a probe into the disappearance of an Inverclyde woman has said she may have started a new life and does not want to be found.

Detective chief inspector Paul Livingstone has been leading a major search for Margaret Fleming, who has not been seen by anyone other than her two carers for 17 years.

The 36-year-old was reported missing from her home in Inverkip on Friday, October 28 last year.

Despite extensive searches - including the excavation of the garden of the property - no trace of her has been found.

DCI Livingstone revealed on Sunday that the "wasn't ruling anything out," including the possibility that Ms Fleming had started a new life and did not want to be traced.

He told the Sun newspaper: "I hold out hope Margaret is staying with somebody and doesn't want to be found.

"This is a UK-wide search. She might have changed her name and have bank acc­ounts or funds in other names, or is staying with someone protecting her.

"As long as we see her safe and well we would respect that. It's not criminal behaviour if someone has been supporting her.

"If she is reading this and is worried she would be taken back to Inverkip, that's not the case. As long as we know she's safe and well, that's what matters."

He said searches were continuing at the house, and handwriting experts had been drafted in to examine documents.

Police previously said there was no reason to contradict the claims of Avril Jones and Edward Cairney, who were her registered carers.

Ms Fleming was last publicly seen at a family gathering in 1999.