A Christmas shopping trip turned to tragedy when a confused pensioner was killed on the A64 near York only hours after being reported missing.

Police investigating the death of Maria Pierson, 71, today appealed for anyone who saw her in the six hours she was unaccounted for to contact them in the hope of piecing together her last movements.

Mrs Pierson was killed at 8.10pm last Saturday near the Fulford interchange after being in collision with a silver Mercedes travelling eastbound. She had last been seen doing her Christmas shopping in the city at around 2pm.

Traffic Constable Jack Russell, of North Yorkshire police, said Mrs Pierson's family were devastated by her death.

"To lose a loved one at any time of the year is awful, but it is particularly hard to bear at Christmas time," he said.

"We would urge anyone who saw Mrs Pierson during the afternoon or early evening to get in touch."

Mrs Pierson, who came from the Stockton Lane area of the city and suffered from dementia, was last seen outside a shop in Goodramgate with her black Labrador. Her husband had left them briefly to go into the shop and when he came back out they were nowhere to be seen.

They were reported missing and a large scale search was launched by police.

The dog, which had slipped its lead, was later found wandering exhausted in the Scarcroft Road area.

TC Russell said: "Our phones are usually red hot if an elderly person is seen walking along the A64 - I find it hard to believe that no one has got in touch over this incident."

"There was a fair amount of traffic on the road at this time and a lot of people must have seen her and been startled by her presence there."

Mrs Pierson was 4ft 11ins tall and was wearing a beige anorak and boots at the time of the accident.

Police want to trace anyone who saw Mrs Pierson from the time she left the city centre to the time of the accident.

"How she came to be on the A64 and her demeanour while on the road will be a great help to our investigation," added TC Russell.

If you can help, contact York police on 01904 631321.

newsdesk@ycp.co.uk