“It’s the most horrendous thing that can happen to a loved one.”

Those were the words of one Swindon mother as she prepared to venture into the forest in search of the missing 22-year-old.

Sandra Sawyer, 52, was spurred on by the fact that she also has a daughter the same age as Sian and says she “can’t imagine” what the family is going through.

“I hear it all the time on the news, and it’s on my doorstep,” said the mum-of-three, of Corporation Street, Broadgreen.

“She’s got to be found. I feel that very strongly. If someone is missing in any part of the world, they need to be found.

“I just hope she’s run off, and is going to phone.

“Just a couple of days ago, my youngest, 22-year-old Charlotte, wasn’t very well, and I couldn’t get hold of her.

“She was in her own flat and poorly. So I just can’t imagine what they are going through in this scenario.

“It makes me sick to my stomach.

“She needs to be found, I can’t stress that enough.

“I don’t know her family. But I can only relate to the sheer horror they’re going through.”

Sandra said she was only able to get down to Savernake Forest to join in the hunt, because she had recently been made jobless.

She arrived at the forest at about 2pm, and didn’t drive home until close to 7pm.

She estimates she covered around four miles in her roughly 15-strong group, which included people who knew Sian.

Speaking on her return she said it had been tough going.

They had been briefed by police that it would be a gruelling day, but it had been very well organised and everyone showed “community spirit”.

“There were all ages,” she said. “Mums, dads, grandads, I saw mums with babies in prams, someone on crutches.

“Everyone can relate to the grief of a family, and what it must feel like.

“I’ve got children and it could easily have been one of them. It’s just unbelievable when it’s on your own doorstep.

“My heart goes out to her family and friends. I can relate to everything they’re going through being a mother myself.”