After more than year of searching for missing woman Leanne Smith, her family continues to hope they will see her face again.

Since her disappearance on September 15 2019, family, friends, neighbours and even strangers have searched for Ms Smith, formerly Gourley.

Coastline hunts, police drones, and everything in-between has been utilised in an attempt to find the Whitehaven-based woman.

And after getting married and celebrating their father's 70th birthday without his sister there, Stuart Gourley is once again asking the public to continue looking for her.

"We're all just sitting around waiting for any kind of news to come through," he said.

"It's a case of waiting, and trying to keep it out of our heads while we do."

While the Covid-19 pandemic has created so many challenges for all across the world, Ms Smith's family has found the time spent locked inside harder than most.

Mr Gourley said: "Being constantly in the house and having all this time to think hasn't been easy.

"I can't really talk about with my mum and dad, because it's just too hard for them.

"It's been hard just sitting here thinking about her, but I think there's still some hope."

He continued: "My parents go from being devastated and not talking about her, to hoping that she'll just walk through the door and they'll see her face and everything will be okay – they're just clinging on to any hope they can."

Ms Smith, who was 39 years old when first reported missing, was last seen leaving her home in Whitehaven at about 6pm on September 15 of last year.

She was said to be wearing a blue coat and carrying a handbag, with black shoulder-length hair in a ponytail.

Mr Gourley added: "We just want everyone to keep looking for her, and keep an eye out.

"Any information is helpful – even just keeping her in your mind is helpful, so please do keep searching for her."

Investigating officer, detective chief inspector Craig Smith, said: “The missing person investigation to locate Leanne Smith, who has been missing from Whitehaven, since September 15, 2019, remains ongoing.

“The investigation has included searches of coastal, rural and urban areas in and around Whitehaven, utilising specialist trained search officers, police dogs, police drones, police helicopter and has been assisted by the Coastguard.

“Specialist officers have also conducted technical and forensic enquiries, and numerous potential lines of inquiry have been followed-up around the country.

“We would encourage anyone with information regarding Leanne’s whereabouts, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to please, get in touch now on 101.”