A HAMPSHIRE woman has gone missing after becoming "obsessed" with a virtual internet world.

Annemarie Squires left her house without warning and was last seen three weeks ago The family of the 40-year-old believe she had become addicted to the website imvu.com in the months before she went missing.

The site encourages users to meet and interact with others in a 3D virtual world.

Miss Squires, from Gosport, was seen on CCTV at Fareham train station with two suitcases on May 13 - but has not made contact since and is said to have turned her mobile phone off.

Police are investigating, but say that because she was seen with suitcases, it is likely her journey was planned.

A note left by Miss Squires to her partner said how she was going to meet with "Shin", who, it is thought, she met online. A poster appealing for information says she took her passport with her.

Meanwhile, a page has been set up on the social networking site Facebook appealing for those with information to get in touch.

Anyone one who knows of her whereabouts is asked to call police on 0845 0454545.