A massive search is under way for a British woman who has gone missing from a beach in northern Greece.

Michele Ann Joy Bourda, 59, disappeared from her sunbed while her husband slept on Ofryniou beach in Kavala, according to reports.

The Hellenic Coastguard said the port authority received reports of a missing person on the evening of Aug 1.

Her family soon raised the alarm but police have so far been unable to find her as fears for her life grow.

She had been swimming at about 12pm on Friday and was last seen wearing a two-piece swimsuit featuring rhinestones, yellow beach shoes and sunglasses with red bone frames.

‘Her life is in danger’

Lifeline Hellas, a Greek missing persons charity, issued a Silver Alert on Saturday after the police were unable to locate her.

The charity’s alert said: “Her life is in danger. If you know anything, contact the Silver Alert service, 24 hours a day, at the National SOS Line 1065.”

Mrs Bourda is described as having straight blonde hair down to her shoulders, hazel eyes, 5ft 6in tall and of slim build.

The Hellenic Coastguard is reportedly conducting a search operation at sea and investigating reports that her belongings were left on the beach.