A HUGE search operation was carried out of an area between Bury Old Road and Manor Gate Road, in Breightmet, yesterday.

It followed the disappearance of Maggie Smythe, who was last seen between 3.30am and 4am on Saturday at her home in Swinside Road after returning from a night out.

On Wednesday morning, officers investigating Maggie’s disappearance executed warrants at two addresses on Greenroyd Avenue and New Lane in Breightmet.

Two men aged 35 and 39 were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody for questioning.

Later that day, police began conducting a search of an area behind the Red Bridge Inn, less than a mile from Maggie’s home.

As well as the derelict pub, which closed in August 2011, the area being searched also included a lodge, and a number of businesses.

The Bolton News:

A number of police vehicles, including a drone unit, a marine unit, and a specialist search unit were spotted at the scene, while aerial surveillance drones and a team of seven divers were seen searching Blackshaw Brook lodge.

As part of the investigation, officers were also understood to have been checking CCTV footage from nearby businesses.

Just after 1pm, a boat was sent out into the lodge and after returning to land, the team of divers were readied.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the boat and divers were to help with the search for Maggie Smythe.

A spokesman said: "Underwater search teams will be deployed around the area of Red Lane and Manor Gate Road, Breightmet, Bolton to assist in the search of Maggie Smythe."

The divers completed at least three dives around the perimeter of the lodge, spending about two hours in the water in total.

Just before 2.30pm, the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) team arrived and began focusing their attentions on the derelict pub, with a crime scene cordon being put in place around the entrance to the building.

As well as the pub itself, police were going in and out of the old pub car park, through a large black gate.

The Bolton News:

Along with forensics teams, sniffer dogs were also patrolling the area.

Members of the CSI team were later spotted with equipment such as evidence markers and just after 4pm, one of the officers starting taking photographs of the pub.

Dennis Kearns, aged 74, who lives in nearby Tetbury Drive, said: “The police arrived yesterday.

“They went down in a line searching and had the dog unit out.

“They searched the car park and the field. They have a drone searching the area.

“We know there has been a lady missing for a few days.”

Another resident added: "We went out yesterday and when we came back we saw all the police combing the area.

"I wondered what it was about. You wonder if you are safe.

"We want peace of mind."

Maggie, who works as a cleaner at Bolton Interchange and has a three-year-old daughter, was last seen by her mother on Saturday after her partner dropped her off at home following a night out.

The pair had a short conversation before her mother went to bed.

Later, her mother came downstairs again to find the lounge light on, but Maggie had gone.

She was last seen wearing black jeans, a black vest top, grey Nike trainers and a green waist length coat with a fur lined hood.

On Tuesday, concerned family and friends carried out a search of Leverhulme Park. They said they were worried for her because she suffers from seizures.