Nicola Bulley suffered a crisis after she stopped taking menopause drugs, her family have revealed. 

Ms Bulley went missing while walking her dog on Jan 27 in St Michael's on Wyre, and at a press conference on Wednesday detectives investigating her disappearance announced she had struggled with an alcohol problem.

On Thursday, Ms Bulley's family said in a statement that she suffered from "brain fog" and experienced intense headaches after taking HRT to help with menopause symptoms.

They said that when she stopped taking the drugs, she suffered a crisis.

The family pleaded with Ms Bulley to come home and said "Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much".

"Your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk.  Don’t be scared, we all love you so very much," they said. 

Lancashire Police is facing a growing backlash over its handling of the case after it revealed that officers had attended a report of concern for welfare at the home of Ms Bulley, 45, and her partner just over two weeks before she disappeared.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.