POLICE searching for a missing Pendle teenager have spoken to staff and students at her high school.

Stephanie Bridge, 15, a pupil at Primet High, Colne, has been missing since Sunday night when she was seen by a friend in Cliffe Street, Colne.

She has not been in contact with her parents since then.

Yesterday the Lancashire police helicopter scanned the area around the school including the railway line between Colne and Nelson, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Whitewalls area of Colne.

Inspector David Shepherd, of Nelson police, said: "The helicopter was called out to help in the search and we made further inquiries with her friends and other people last night. They will be continuing today.

"Alarm bells are ringing because she's not made any contact.

"We have concerns about her because she hasn't contacted her parents but there's nothing at this moment to suggest any harm has befallen her."

Officers believe she may be staying with a friend.

Police said Stephanie, who lives in the Chapelhouse Road area of Nelson, had no apparent reason for disappearing and had no record of running away from home.

She is 5ft 4in tall, slim, with blue eyes, blond wavy hair and a fair complexion.

"She was last seen wearing black Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a black training top with a Manchester United badge on it, a zip jacket made of shiny royal blue material with a red lining and training shoes.

"Friends said she always wore a white baseball hat.

Inspector Shepherd added: "We would urge Stephanie to get in touch with her parents or the police on 01282 425001 as soon as possible to let us know she is all right. We would also like to hear from anyone who knows where she is."

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