A SEARCH has been launched for a Leigh schoolgirl who has been missing from her home for a week.

Fifteen-year-old Stacey McHugh, from Regina Crescent, Leigh, has not been seen since Wednesday May 5 when her parents dropped her off at school.

Police today said they were growing increasingly concerned for her welfare. Since her disappearance, she has left an answerphone message for her parents and phoned a friend last Saturday to say she was in Manchester city centre.

Stacey is described as white, of slim build and approximately 5ft 8ins with long, light brown hair and wears oval glasses.

She is thought to be wearing either her Bedford High School uniform of black trousers, white shirt and black blazer, or blue jeans and a T-shirt.

Officers say they are extremely concerned because Stacey has no history of running away from home, is unlikely to have any money and is not very street-wise.

She is thought to be in Leigh, Atherton, Bolton or Manchester.

If anyone knows where Stacey is or has seen a girl matching her description are asked to contact officers in Leigh on 0161 856 7229.