Missing mum Nicola Bulley has been referred to in an “offensive” voicemail left for a local council in Lancashire. The voicemail came in in the early hours of February 11, reports the Mirror.

Five of the six members of Inskip with Sowerby Parish Council received the annoying calls overnight. All but one just hung up when they answered, they said.

The 45-year-old mother of two disappeared on January 27 while walking her dog in St Michaels on Wyre, just a few miles from her home in Inskip. Police are continuing their search along the Wyre River to Morecambe Bay for the missing woman.

A source close to the council said the voicemail came in between 12.45pm and 3am during a spate of “mystery calls”. They added that a copy of the voice mail is now in police possession.

They did not elaborate on the content of the message, but did reveal that Nicola was being referred to. Describing their nature, they said: “Offensive, I wouldn’t say it was offensive, I would say it was offensive.”

“I think the police have identified the perpetrator,” they continued, calling them “just a lunatic.” When asked if the councilor who received the call was shocked, they replied: “No, we’re not soft.”

Councilors’ phone numbers have since been removed from the municipality’s website. The contact details of parishioners and councilors are also no longer listed on Wyre Borough Council’s website after the incident, it has been confirmed.

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Wyre Council chief executive Garry Payne said: “Everyone is deeply saddened by the ongoing Nicola Bulley case and our thoughts are with family and friends. We are supporting Lancashire Police where necessary and we urge everyone to remain respectful at this time.”

Wyre council chairman Michael Vincent said: “We appreciate the emotional gravity of the situation. However, we will not tolerate any form of abuse by any of our elected members of Wyre Borough Council or any of the Borough Councils within our boundaries or our staff.

“The community has shown great strength and resilience throughout the investigation and we urge everyone to continue to show compassion and empathy. Residents can still contact their elected representatives.”

Wyre Council has announced that it will record all reports of abuse and pass them on to the police. Asked about the matter, a spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “We are aware and looking into it.”

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