A GROUP of 13 relatives have returned home to Bury after searching in vain for a woman who went missing while on holiday in Lanzarote.

Margaret Holt, aged 65, has not been seen since December 23 when she went out walking.

Her son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Clare Riley, of Simms Close, Ramsbottom, raised the alarm when she failed to contact them on Christmas Day and a massive search of the holiday island got under way.

No sightings of Mrs Holt have been reported, but her family believe she may have fallen and they are still hopeful that she will be found. A nationwide appeal has also been orchestrated to seek the help of people who might have returned from a holiday in Lanzarote and could have seen her.

Clare’s cousin, Vicky Walmsley, of Alder Close, Elton, said: “All the family has been in Lanzarote searching for her. At one point there were 13 members of the family there, as well as search teams from the police and ex-pats who have organised their own search.

“Ben and Clare were very reluctant to come home without Margaret. They have searched the whole island and there is nothing more they can do. They are exhausted and need to recharge their batteries.

”There is every reason to believe Margaret may still be found alive. The Spanish Police say they have found people alive after a longer period of time and we are clinging on to that.

“Everyone wants to know where she is.”

Mrs Holt, who comes from The Wirral, was a fit, experienced hiker and had gone out walking for the day.

She was last seen at 4.50pm on Friday, December 23, in the Orzola region of the island as she headed back to her hotel after going out walking.

Mr Riley, aged 36, contacted the hotel on Christmas Day and staff confirmed her hotel room had not been used for two days. Her personal belongings, including her passport, money and cards, were all in the room.

Mr and Mrs Riley flew to Lanzarote on Boxing Day and were joined by family members from across Bury.

A Spanish search and rescue team initially helped to look for Mrs Holt, though their operation was withdrawn after 72 hours.

Her relatives and people living in Lanzarote have continued the search, with support from the Red Cross and the British Consulate.

Helicopters and boats have been used to search the island, and experienced walkers and paragliders have checked the many caves, cliff faces and treacherous walks.

Attempts to find Mrs Holt’s mobile phone have failed, possibly because the battery had died or the phone had broken.

The search is continuing in Lanzarote and Mrs Holt’s family in the UK are using social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to raise awareness.

Mrs Walmsley, aged 31, said: “We need people who have been on holiday over Christmas to look at their photographs to see if she is in the background anywhere.

“We hope someone will come forward and remember seeing or speaking to her, to give us a clue as to where she might be.”

Mrs Holt was last seen wearing a light pink vest, khaki shorts and walking sandals, and carrying a drawstring bag.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sandy Bartholomew on 0034 6083 43297 or 0044 7803 620127.