Missing bridesmaid found asleep in bush

A drunk bridesmaid disappeared from her friend's wedding early this morning, running off and getting lost in the Waitakere Ranges.

Police launched a search and rescue operation to find the 26 year old, who ran away from the post-wedding party in West Auckland, at a property backing onto the bush-clad hills, about 1.20am.

After a search involving search and rescue volunteers and a police helicopter, the woman was found about 5.30am. She was asleep about 10 or 15 metres into the bush, Inspector Shawn Rutene said.

She was cold after her night spent sleeping rough, but otherwise fine, he said.

"We had to extend our search because of the time delay," he said, with searchers anticipating the bridesmaid could have roamed much further than she did before falling asleep.

- NZPA