MISSING schoolgirl Nicola Fotherby, whose disappearance sparked a massive search, was found safe and well at lunchtime today.

The 14-year-old, who disappeared in Ainsworth after talking to her mother on her mobile phone, was discovered outside fast food restaurant KFC, in Bury.

She had a tearful reunion with her 41-year-old mother, Gail, at 12.30pm following a search taking more 14 hours from 10pm yesterday.

Police officers with dogs and mountain rescue team volunteers had combed fields near the teenage girl's home, on Broomfield Close, Ainsworth.

Nicola had had a row with her mother shortly before her disappearance.

Police said Nichola spent the night at a friend's house.

The 14-year-old girl was said to have been at the house of a 15-year-old called Colin, who she met at Bury Interchange at around 6.30pm yesterday.

The girl did not turn up for school today and Bolton Mountain Rescue abandoned their search of fields.

Earlier police, 26 members of the Bolton Mountain Rescue team and the police force helicopter spent the early hours searching a three kilometre stretch of land between Ainsworth and Radcliffe by torchlight.

The mountain rescue team brought in search dogs. Garry Rhodes, team leader for the Bolton Mountain Rescue team, said he had received the call from the police to help with the operation at 1.15am today.

He added: "We have spent the night searching footpaths and other possible routes she may have taken.

"Everyone is hoping she is staying with friends, but we will continue searching until she turns up."

Nichola called her mother at 5pm and the family raised the alarm at 10pm.

As well as the intensive search, officers called the girl's mobile phone and sending text messages, as well as speaking to many of her friends.

The Oldham and Rossendale Mountain Rescue Team were also on alert.