Family tell of 'nightmare' after gran goes missing in Mexico

THE disappearance of an Edinburgh grandmother, while holidaying in Mexico, has been described by her family as "a nightmare".

Julia Howard, 77, was on holiday with her son and daughter when she disappeared after going to fetch a sun hat from her hotel room.

The widow had jetted into the luxury Cancun resort on Monday night for a two-week break and vanished just 12 hours after landing.

Last night Julia's grand-daughter Gill Greaves described the family's ordeal as "a nightmare".

Gill, 33, from Kirknewton, West Lothian, said: "I am at a loss as to how I can help my family over there when I am back here.

"It's a nightmare. My parents are frantic. I searched on the internet for all the relevant details for the British Embassy and Consul and passed them on to my dad.

"There has been a big search going on. My parents are devastated.

"They have searched everywhere and just want to find her and know she's safe and well."

Last night a Foreign Office spokesman confirmed they had received a report that the grandmother had gone missing.

He added: "We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with the family."