The partner of Nicola Bulley has said their family will "never lose hope" after she "vanished into thin air."
The 45-year-old mortgage adviser went missing last Friday morning, while walking the family dog along the River Wyre in St Michael's-on-Wyre in Lancashire. Police and search and rescue teams have been looking for Nicola since then but her partner claims the search is "no further on."
Her family became aware of Nicola's disappearance when her dog was found running loose. Later the dog's harness and her mobile phone were found nearby.
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Speaking publicly for the first time, her partner, Paul Ansell, told Sky: "I don't know how I am coping. I don't want to think about that. I am just focused on the girls."
He added: "It's a week on as yet it seems like we are no further on. It just seems impossible like a dream.
"Every single scenario comes to a brick wall. Every single one of them. All we are doing is sitting there going round and round and round through each scenario."
Speaking about the public support, he said: "It's amazing - it's the only thing we can take. it gives us a great amount of comfort.
"We're never gonna lose hope, of course, we are not. Right now it's like she vanished into thin air. It's just insane."
The family friend, who did not want to be named, told The Mirror Paul is "trying to be strong" for the girls. They said: "The alternative is just too unimaginable and devastating.
"He’s trying to balance keeping some form of routine for the girls and then trying to find Nikki. They just desperately want her home."
They added: "I’m a school friend of Paul’s. Met her through him. We adored her straight away. She’s kind and would do anything for anyone. Everyone that meets her comments on how lovely she is.
"She adores her girls. She is a real homemaker and loves to spend time with her family. They love taking walks with the dogs.
"She is always cooking, making things with the girls. She takes them to school, and outside school activities. She is involved in church events with school. She adores animals. She is so sweet-natured."
Yesterday, search efforts ramped up as divers were seen going into the river. Lancashire Police also appealed for a second potential key witness to come forward, who was later identified but said she hadn't seen Nicola that morning.
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