The family of missing mum Seemberjeet Kaur are clinging to the hope that she is still alive – four weeks after she was last seen.

There have been no positive sightings of the 35-year-old married mother since about 1pm on Wednesday, October 23, when she was captured on CCTV on the canal towpath in Roberts Park at Saltaire.

She had taken a taxi to Salts Mill from her home.

Police underwater search teams have been dredging the canal and the River Aire from Saltaire towards Leeds, as well as scouring the park, woods, gardens and outhouses. Water searches were continuing yesterday.

Mrs Kaur, of East Bowling, Bradford, who had been taking medication for depression, failed to collect her daughter from nursery school and police said they were particularly concerned because she was suffering from anxiety and depression and may wrongfully have had concerns for her health.

But yesterday her cousin, Kalbinder Singh, said: “We are of the firm belief that Seemberjeet is still alive somewhere.

“It is possible to have left the park without being seen on CCTV and we are working on the assumption that is what she has done.

“We believe she is either hiding with somebody, or somebody has taken her in and is harbouring her.

“I don’t know what has happened to her. But there has been no evidence that she jumped into the river or canal.

“It is uncharacteristic, and at the heart of the matter is a vulnerable and confused young mother. We cannot understand why she would not collect her daughter from school.

“There is no indication she arranged to meet someone. We are at a loss to explain it.”

Mrs Kaur’s daughter has just had her fourth birthday and Mr Singh said: “She asks about her mum and when she is coming home. She has been told her mummy’s not well and she’ll be home soon.”

Mr Singh added: “If she is out there and is confused, whoever she is with we would appeal to them to contact police on 101, or Missing Persons on 116000, and if anybody has seen her, or recollects seeing someone wearing similar clothing on that particular day, to do likewise.”

Mrs Kaur is described as Asian, slim, about 5ft 4ins tall, with straight black shoulder-length hair which she usually wears down. She was wearing a beige coat, blue jeans and metallic brown ankle boots.

Police confirmed they were checking two private CCTV cameras overlooking the towpath between Saltaire and Riddlesden following a reported unconfirmed sighting of Seemberjeet at Riddlesden near Keighley.