DETECTIVES leading the hunt for a Burnley schoolgirl who vanished two months ago today took the unprecedented step of putting up a reward to find her.

Officers working in Pennine division of Lancashire Constabulary have offered an undisclosed sum to encourage "people in the know" to come forward with information about missing 15-year-old Sarah Louise Watson, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley.

Increasing concerns about Sarah's welfare led officers in Burnley CID to take the unusual step and foot the bill for the reward, which has never been done in Lancashire before.

Freephone hotline Crimestoppers often provides reward money for victims of crime but Mark Maxlow, in charge of the investigation, took the decision to fund the initiative through the force.

Detective Inspector Maxlow said: "We are growing increasingly concerned as Sarah has not been in touch with her family for such a long time. Although she would describe herself as 'streetwise' I believe her to be vulnerable because of her age."

A dedicated team of officers are now involved in the daily hunt for the teenager, who was last seen by her family on July 17 when she left an address in Colne Road with her cousin.

The two girls got in a taxi at Burnley bus station in Croft Street at 11.15pm. The other girl was dropped at home in Rosehill Road but Sarah has not been seen since.

Police have already instigated a widespread poster campaign in their search for Sarah and have quizzed school pals at St Hilda's High, Burnley, about her lifestyle.

He said there have been a number of reported sightings, including one at the Balloon Festival at Towneley Park on Sunday, August 25, when she was seen in company with another girl.

He went on: "We need to trace that individual as well as the driver of the Hackney carriage Sarah and her cousin used on July 17."

The unusual step of funding a reward comes as officers step up their activities to find the girl.

Detective Constable Dave Groombridge said: "We are a caring, sharing organisation which has moved forward over the years.

"At the moment we are all wearing our hearts on our sleeves and feel for Sarah's family. We just want to know that Sarah is all right. If the money helps us in finding out this information then it has served its purpose."

Police are working from the point that Sarah and her cousin took the taxi from the bus station, dropping the other girl off. Sarah was expected to continue the journey home but did not arrive and was reported missing three days later.

There was another sighting of her on a bus on Sunday, July 28, and police believe she may have been travelling to and from Manchester since she disappeared.

Officers have been patrolling daily in areas of Burnley where they think Sarah may be while the posters and leaflets include a picture of the teenager and contact numbers for people with information to call.

Officers said they have exhausted a number of leads which came to light when detectives visited St Hilda's on Wednesday to appeal to Sarah's class mates for information.

Anyone with any information about Sarah should call 01282 472143 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800-555-111.

Sarah is white, 5ft 7ins tall, slim build, hazel eyes and light-brown, shoulder-length straight hair.

She was wearing a navy blue jacket, three-quarter length tracksuit bottoms and white trainers, but may have changed clothes since then.