UPDATE: With the help of the NPAS police helicopter, Joyce has since been found.

AN URGENT appeal has been launched to find a missing woman who gets "easily confused".

Joyce Heenan, 78, was last seen by her family at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, January 3 in Compton Crescent, West Moors.

She is described as five feet three inches tall with white hair. Joyce was last seen wearing black leggings, a white blouse, black Sketchers trainers with white on the bottom and sides and a dark grey zipped cardigan.

Inspector Luke Larcombe, of Dorset Police, said: “Joyce can become easily confused and we are growing concerned for her welfare.

“I would urge anyone who has seen Joyce, or a woman matching the description given, to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Joyce’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 3:303.