The father of a missing teenager said a woman spotted in the River Clyde may be his daughter.

Sarah Goldie, 18, was reported missing from her home in Renfrew at about 11.40pm on Friday after leaving earlier in the day to go to Glasgow.

That evening, emergency services had responded to reports a woman was in the water close to Broomielaw near the city's King George V Bridge.

Two men jumped into the river to help her but the woman was not traced. Police said Ms Goldie's handbag was found near the area of the incident.

Gordon Goldie said his family would "never, ever be able to truly express" their gratitude to the two men who tried to help save the woman, who he believes was his daughter.

Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the search is continuing for Ms Goldie.

Mr Goldie said: "Our whole family has been completely overwhelmed by the very kind words, calls and messages that we have received from both friends and strangers around the world. Yesterday’s appeal on Facebook has had over 22,000 shares and has been very helpful to the police.

"If you have not shared this already, can you please do so as soon as possible? We are once again asking for anyone who may have any information that they think may be slightly useful, or anyone who saw Sarah at any time on Friday in Renfrew or Glasgow during the day or evening to please contact Police Scotland via 101, or speak to any police officer.

"Complete strangers risked their own lives to try and save who I believe was Sarah on Friday night and we will never, ever be able to truly express our gratitude to them for their actions. If you heard or saw anything you think may be relevant – please call."

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Goldie was her being dropped off by a taxi in Torridon Drive, Dean Park, Renfrew, around 6pm on Friday.

She is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, with brown eyes and sandy/strawberry blond straight hair. She was wearing a khaki green Parka type jacket with a fur trimmed hood and was carrying a cherry red coloured handbag.

Officers are continuing to search the River Clyde, close to the Broomielaw near the King George V Bridge in Glasgow.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland, of Glasgow city centre police, said: "We have had a good response from the public about the young woman in the water. We are following a number of lines of enquiry with regard to identifying who she is.

"Our specialist marine policing unit and divisional officers are continuing to search the River Clyde today. So far we have had no further reports of Sarah having been seen in Renfrew on Friday.

"It is vital that we find out where she went after being dropped off by taxi in Torridon Drive, Dean Park, Renfrew. ”Officers have been checking CCTV, bus and taxi companies and with local business in the area to try and piece together her movements.

"If you saw her, or have any information that will assist our enquiries, then please get in touch. This is a horrendously distressing situation for Sarah’s family and friends and officers are in close contact with the family to keep them informed.

"Anyone with information about Sarah can contact Glasgow City Centre Police via 101."