THE mother of a teenager who disappeared who three-and-a-half years ago has told a murder trial jury of the last time she saw her daughter.

Karen Ann Marie Downes said Charlene, who a former Blackburn man is accused of murdering, gave her a kiss and said she wouldn't be late home, after they had bumped into each other in Blackpool.

Mrs Downes, a mother of four, told Preston Crown Court how she had been handing out flyers in the resort's Church Street area on Saturday November 1, 2003, as part of her work at a restaurant, when she saw Charlene and her daughter Rebecca who had both been to McDonald's and were laughing and joking together.

They spoke to their mum and Charlene went to to stay with her while waiting to meet up with a friend.

Mrs Downes said Charlene told her: "I'm going to the arcades mum".

She said "I won't be late home" and gave her a kiss.

The teenager went off and hasn't been seen since by her mum.

Iyad Albattikhi, 29, is on trial accused of Charlene's murder.

He is said to have lived in Blackburn for some time in 2003.

Mohammed Reveshi, 55, is accused of assisting an offender.

Both were said to have been joint owners of Funny Boyz takeaway, Dickson Road, Blackpool, at the time.

Prosecutor Mr Tim Holroyde QC has told the court that Charlene "vanished off the face of the earth", with no trace of her body ever being found.

It is claimed that Albattikhi later joked that Charlene had gone into kebabs.

(Proceeding).