A WOMAN with autistic problems sparked a major alert after going missing from home with her pet budgie.

Catherine Howarth, 34, of Howarth Avenue, in Church, Accrington, was found at a women's refuge in Burnley yesterday after going to the town's hospital complaining of a sore toe.

Catherine, who is said to suffer from mild autistic tendencies and paranoid schizophrenia, disappeared about 3.45pm on Friday after a neighbour dropped her off near the train station when she said she was going to stay with friends.

She left the house which she shared with her sister, Susan, after leaving a note saying 'Moved out. Goodbye', amid fears she disappeared over an unpaid mobile phone bill.

Her family became increasingly concerned about her welfare after video stills caught on CCTV cameras at the train station revealed a woman fitting her description carrying two black bin liners, a grey holdall and her grey coloured pet budgie in a cage.

At the time of her disappearance Susan said it was completely out of character for her sister to leave without saying a word and said she would not have been able to cope on her own for a long length of time.

She said: "She is a bit of a loner really. She would never be able to strike up a conversation with anyone.

"She wouldn't be able to talk to me about any problems she was having or anything.

Catherine was reunited with Susan, who said: "I didn't know where she could have gone or who she was with. I was out of my mind and worried sick.

"I'm just so relieved they have found her safe and well."