Additional searches have been carried out as members of coastal communities persist with their efforts to find missing student Sophie Smith.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A fresh search was carried out this afternoon along the coasteline as the community helps to try and find Sophie Smith. Picture: Thomas ChapmanA fresh search was carried out this afternoon along the coasteline as the community helps to try and find Sophie Smith. Picture: Thomas Chapman (Image: Archant)

The 21-year-old disappeared from her home on Avondale Road in Gorleston at 3am on Boxing Day morning, wearing only a vest and shorts.

CCTV footage captured her heading towards the seafront a short time later, but there have been no other confirmed sightings since then.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The search was organised by the Find Sophie Smith Facebook group. Picture: Thomas ChapmanThe search was organised by the Find Sophie Smith Facebook group. Picture: Thomas Chapman (Image: Archant)

Sophie’s disappearance has prompted a remarkable reaction from local people and hundreds have been joining the emergency services to help scour the coastline in the hope that she will be found.

Two further searches - organised by the Find Sophie Smith Facebook group - took place in coastal areas this afternoon (December 30).

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A fresh search was carried out this afternoon along the coasteline as the community helps to try and find Sophie Smith. Picture: Thomas ChapmanA fresh search was carried out this afternoon along the coasteline as the community helps to try and find Sophie Smith. Picture: Thomas Chapman (Image: Archant)

At midday, a group gathered at the Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth before spreading themselves out as widely as possible along the beach and trekking north through Caister-on-Sea, California and beyond.

Whilst the first search was still going on, a second search began at Hopton Holiday Village from 2.30pm.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A fresh search was carried out this afternoon along the coasteline as the community helps to try and find Sophie Smith. Picture: Thomas ChapmanA fresh search was carried out this afternoon along the coasteline as the community helps to try and find Sophie Smith. Picture: Thomas Chapman (Image: Archant)

As the community rallies to try and locate Sophie, Emma Flaxman-Taylor, a Great Yarmouth Borough Councillor for the Gorleston ward, expressed how pleased she has been to see so many people join the search effort.

“It’s so touching to realise what a close community we have,” said Mrs Flaxman-Taylor. “At times like this people really do get involved, but I’m not surprised at all to see it.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The search for missing Sophie Smith, on the beach at California in north Norfolk. Picture: Ian BurtThe search for missing Sophie Smith, on the beach at California in north Norfolk. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

“Everyone really has pulled together and a couple of the councillors have been out on the searches too.

“I’ve got an 18-year-old son and I wouldn’t know what to do if he went missing. It’s a terrible time of year for it happen and my thoughts are with Sophie’s family and friends.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The search for missing Sophie Smith, on the beach at California in north Norfolk. Picture: Ian BurtThe search for missing Sophie Smith, on the beach at California in north Norfolk. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Sophie Smith should contact Norfolk Police immediately on 101.