Missing Victoria Taylor's friend makes heart-wrenching five-word vow amid riverbank search

Charlotte Cundill shared an emotional message to her friend, mum Victoria Taylor, from North Yorkshire, after she went missing close to a riverbank several days ago

A friend of missing mum Victoria Taylor has issued a heart-wrenching five-word vow as search teams continue to scour a nearby river in hopes of finding her.

Charlotte Cundill, a pub barmaid, told supporters on Facebook that she was remaining hopeful. She said to Victoria: "So, beautiful, we're onto day six without seeing your beautiful smile. Day six of searching, crying, remembering as much as we can in the search to find you.

"There's nearly 5 and half thousand people following this page to bring you home, which I will forever be grateful for. Never in a million years did I think I could get it to blow up this far. You are so loved, more than you will ever know. I am on it day and night, as are others. There's people out every night in the hope to catch a glimpse of news of your arrival home. We will get you home."

Volunteer searchers were seen scouring the riverbank and combing through vegetation close to where Victoria was last seen. Searches were also undertaken near to the railway line and along riverside fields to the west of the market town. Large banners were put up in the town centre to alert thousands of visitors to this weekend’s Malton Food Festival to be vigilant.

Members of the Malton Canoe Club also took to the water, currently at a depth of just under four metres, in a bid to help. Janet Williams, 40, from Scarborough, was among those volunteering their time to search. She said: "I didn't want to sit at home and do nothing. I thought I'd lend a hand and try and help because it's so close to home. Everyone is in shock at what has happened but we're all working together to try and find her. We just hope and pray that she can be found safe."

On Friday, Victoria's fiance Matthew Williams implored his partner to return home to their daughter Nancy, two. He posted a new picture of Victoria and himself after she had completed a skydive for Dementia UK. He commented on Facebook: "Wanted to post this picture, as we all know how great Vixx was with her charity fundraising and her absolute fearlessness to parachute of a plane for a cause so close to her. Love you so much Vixx."

Matthew begged Victoria, 34, to come home as the search entered its sixth day. Fighting back tears, Matthew said: "All she wanted was to give this bairn [their daughter Nancy] the best. She didn't have the best of upbringings and she wanted to give this child a better one. I just hope she comes back."

North Yorkshire Police have said searches will continue over the weekend.