The home of a vulnerable woman who vanished over a month ago has been searched by police.

Margaret Fleming, 36, was last seen by her two carers at her home in Inverkip, Inverclyde, at around 5.40pm on Friday, October 28.

Officers have been carrying out a major search since her disappearance but have so far drawn a blank and she remains missing.

Police revealed earlier this month it was an "unusual missing persons case" and that Ms Fleming had a "side of her life" which she kept private.

Her home has now been searched and evidence bags removed as well as the garden and area surrounding the property examined by officers.

It has also been revealed Ms Fleming, who led a very private life, may not have been seen in public for a number of years before being reported missing.

Last week, police also carried out a stop and speak operation in which they quizzed pedestrians and drivers around Inverkip and Wemyss Bay in Inverclyde, as well as Port Bannatyne in Bute.

It is believed she liked to visit these areas and officers hoped to jog the memories of anyone who may have information.

They also said Ms Fleming was a student at James Watt College in Greenock from 1996 to 1997.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who remembers her from then and who might have been in touch with her over the years.

Ms Fleming is described as around 5ft 5in with collar-length black hair and brown eyes.

She has a heavy build, although her weight sometimes fluctuates, and she was wearing a green tartan fleece or jumper, dark jeans or trousers, and dark Karrimor boots when she was last seen.

Chief inspector Elliot Brown, area commander for Greenock, said on Wednesday: "Police Scotland is continuing significant enquiries into the disappearance of Margaret, and we've been thankful for the response from the public so far.

"I would like to make it clear that finding out what has happened to Margaret is a priority for my team here in Greenock.

"We are currently working with limited information and whilst it does seem like this is quite an unusual missing person case, it is challenging, however, we've a number of lines of inquiry we are working on and I would like to stress that this is still a missing person inquiry."

He added: "As we continue to try to piece together Margaret's life, we understand she kept a side of her life quite private so we're trying to look into this in a bit more detail to see if this will help with our enquiries.

"We are working backwards to try to find out more about Margaret, so we've been speaking to friends and family members to establish a clearer picture of her life over the years.

"Again, we do know that Margaret was a student at James Watt College, Greenock, from 1996/97 therefore we'd be keen to speak to anyone who remembers her from then, and who might have been in touch with her over the years.

"I would ask anyone with any information, no matter how irrelevant it might seem, to contact police at Greenock via 101."