One of Britain’s longest-running missing person cases has been solved – after a woman was found alive and well over half a century later.

Sheila Fox was just 16-years-old when she vanished without trace from Coventry city centre in 1972. She was living with her parents at the time of her disappearance but was reportedly in a relationship with an older man.

Detectives launched a search for the teenager amid fears she had been taken against her will – but failed to track her down. Her case remained unsolved for five decades until West Midlands Police recently launched a cold-case review.

They discovered an old black and white photo of Sheila and publicised her disappearance for the first time in 52 years. Within 24 hours of last Sunday’s social media post they received a crucial tip-off over her whereabouts.

Officers managed to track down and speak to the now 68-year-old in a different part of England and confirmed she is “safe and well”. No further details of why she vanished have been revealed.

Det Sgt Jenna Shaw said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have found Sheila after more than five decades.

“We searched through every piece of evidence we could find and managed to locate a photo of Sheila. Every missing person has a story. Their families and friends deserve to know what happened to them and, hopefully, be reunited with them.”