LIVE: Nicola Bulley inquest begins as coroner examines her tragic death - latest updates

An inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley was starting today. The 45-year-old mother-of-two went missing from St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire on January 27 and her body was found more than three weeks later in the River Wyre.

The inquest into her death, being heard at County Hall in Preston, is expected to last two days.

Ms Bulley, from Inskip, vanished while walking the family's dog, Willow, along the River Wyre after dropping her daughters, aged six and nine, at school, sparking a huge search operation and intense media and public interest.

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Her body was found in the river 23 days after she went missing, around a mile farther downstream from a bench where her mobile phone was discovered. The dog was found wandering close to the riverbank after her disappearance.

The investigation into Ms Bulley disappearance attracted widespread attention and speculation which led police to take action against social media influencers and people 'playing private detectives' who visited the Lancashire village.

The force also faced criticism for releasing personal details about the missing mum at the time.

Following the discovery of Ms Bulley's body the coroner and Lancashire Constabulary conducted an investigation in an attempt to allow Senior Coroner Dr James Adeley to answer four questions as are determined by coronial law. These are: who has died, where have they died, when have they died and how did they come by their death.

The coroner has made 100 seats available for the two-day hearing and all of them have now been filled. They are likely to include relatives, friends, members of the press and witnesses.

The inquest opening, held on February 22,