A POLICE helicopter and dog handler who helped find a high-risk missing person stranded in the bitter cold "undoubtedly saved her life".

A vulnerable woman was reported missing and, owing to serious health and mobility issues, she was deemed high risk.

Her last sighting was passed on to police, who focussed their efforts around East Linton.

An extensive search was carried out and when the helicopter located a heat source in a remote field, the dog handler tracked to the location and found the woman in a bad way and unable to move.

She was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and is in a stable condition.

Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell, local area commander,  said "I would like to thank the residents of East Lothian who shared our appeal and provided the information to allow us to focus our search.

"It was a bitterly cold night and the actions of the officers with this information undoubtedly saved her life.

"Thank you to all and well done."