POLICE have launched an appeal to trace a commuter seen talking on CCTV to missing mum, Catalina Covaci.

Officers looking for the missing teen and her baby son Ricardo have launched an appeal to trace the woman seen speaking to the 15-year-old at Manchester Piccadilly train station.

Officers have released the CCTV today in the hope that the woman contacts them, as she is now the last known person to speak to Catalina on the day she went missing.

The lady is described as wearing a black jacket, a black hat and carrying several black bags.

The pair spoke at around 1.40pm on the afternoon of December 19, 2012.

Detective Inspector Furzana Nazir, who is coordinating the search for Catalina, said: “We have been conducting extensive searches and enquiries to trace 15-year-old Catalina and her six-month-old son, Ricardo, who have almost been missing for a month.

“CCTV investigation has revealed that Catalina spoke to a woman when she arrived in Manchester Piccadilly train station on the afternoon she went missing.

“It is incredibly important that we trace this witness to find out what Catalina said, whether she asked for help or whether she indicated where she may be going.

“We are into the fourth week of her disappearance and concerns are mounting.

“Her family in Penrith are distressed and we need to ensure that we locate them both – quickly.”

Catalina, who is originally from Romania but has resided in Cumbria for the last year and a half, went missing before Christmas.

On Wednesday, December 19, she left her Penrith home after telling her guardians she was taking her routine walk into Penrith town centre with her son.

However, Catalina was seen with her son at Penrith Train Station that day and police have established that they travelled on a train from Penrith to Manchester Piccadilly, which arrived at around 2.40pm.

She hasn’t been seen since.

Catalina is described as having very long straight hair which is often worn in a bun. She is of a medium-heavy build and has a dark complexion.

Last week, police officers turned to international colleagues to help them widen their search as enquiries extended into France.

Interpol are assisting Cumbria Constabulary by beginning international enquiries.

Anyone with information that could help trace her is asked to contact Cumbria police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.