Police are seeking nurses who may have known a nursing cadet who disappeared in Birmingham more than 40 years ago.

Maria Bernadette Aldridge, a 17 year old cadet nurse, disappeared in the summer of 1968.

Originally from Stourport in Worcestershire, she was in the second year of a nurse cadet course, and was living at the Old Home Nursing Home at the Dudley Road Hospital, now known as City Hospital.

No trace of her has previously been found. But the case was reopened a few months ago when a letter from Maria to her mother was discovered, which was dated 28 February 1968.

The letter discussed her life in Birmingham and mentioned several friends including “Sue” and “Evelyn”, who police believe may also have been cadet nurses.

Detective Sergeant Ian Bulloch, from the West Midlands Police, said he was keen to locate Sue and Evelyn, or any other nurses in training in Birmingham between February and July 1968.

In particular they would like to hear from anyone who knew Maria or these two nurses, or who lived on the Dudley Road Hospital site.

DS Bulloch added that police would also like to source any photographs from that time which may include Maria.

“The other name that someone may know is Paul Gough, who is believed to be the boyfriend of Maria when she went missing – perhaps other nurses knew him,” he told Nursing Times.

DS Bulloch said: “Maria’s disappearance has been at the forethoughts of her family for the last 40 years. A Nursing Times reader, nurse or former nurse, may hold information that may help us locate Maria and bring closure to this investigation.

“We would treat all information confidentially. We are, of course, hoping that Maria reads this and comes forward,” he said.

Anyone with information can email DS Bulloch or call 0121 626 5967.