The mother of a loving and dedicated midwifery student who went missing after attending a church service has made a moving appeal for information about her daughter’s whereabouts.

Joy Morgan, 21, a student at the University of Hertfordshire, disappeared after attending a service of the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ, a small black sect with its origins in the United States.

No trace of her has been seen since and detectives are "growing increasingly concerned for her safety" and fear she may “have come to harm”.

Joy was last seen at a service held by the Israelite Church of God on Boxing Day in Ilford, east London.

Police said her phone was active until the next day and her bank card has not been used since.

Murder detectives subsequently questioned a 40-year-old man from London in connection with her disappearance. He has since been released on bail pending further investigation.

Now Joy’s mother, Carol Morgan, has spoken of her fears for her daughter, saying it was completely out of character for her to disappear.