THE sister of a woman who has been missing for three days has told how her family is "petrified" for her safety.

Anita Stevenson, who is originally from the BD2 area of Bradford, was last seen at her home in Birkenhead, Merseyside, at about 11.30am on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old's family, who live in Bradford, said she has a three-year-old daughter and that her disappearance was out of character.

Her sister Thelina Oram, 33, said: "We are petrified. It is just not like her.

"I feel like I know her well enough to know she would not leave us."

Thelina said Anita, 39, moved to Merseyside about three years ago as that is where her partner is from. She added that Anita had arranged for their parents to visit on Wednesday, before she disappeared.

Thelina said Anita had told her partner she was going to look for a lost mobile phone.

A police spokesman said: "Anita’s family, and the police, are becoming increasingly concerned for her wellbeing and are appealing to Anita, or anyone who knows of her whereabouts, to contact the police."

Thelina added: "It is completely out of character for her. She has a little girl.

"She came to visit for a concert in Leeds a few weeks ago, but didn't want to stay because she didn't want to be away from her little girl."

Anita is white, 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, with shoulder length blonde hair and a pale complexion.

When she was last seen she was wearing black Nike leggings, a white T-shirt and a royal blue lightweight Adidas jacket (pictured).

Police believe Anita has links to the Moreton area of the Wirral, having lived there previously, as well as her links to Bradford.

Anyone with information about Anita's whereabouts is asked to call police on 101, quoting log number 0902 of October 18.

Alternatively, contact the Missing Persons charity on 116 000 or by email at 116000@missing people.org.uk.