A DISTRAUGHT mother today appealed for help in finding her 14-year-old daughter who disappeared after setting off to visit a friend.

Linda Bond, of Grafton Street in Clitheroe, spoke as police said they were "very concerned" about Gemma who left home at 9am on Saturday and has not been seen since.

It had been rumoured that the Ribblesdale High School pupil may have intended visiting a fair in Preston. But a police search there yesterday drew a blank.

Police said they are classing the girl as "a vulnerable missing person."

"If you are reading this please come home. You won't get told off. We just want you back," pleaded Mrs Bond.

"Gemma left the house to visit a friend on Saturday morning, but it appears she never turned up. Then I heard she may have intended visiting a fair in Preston, but the police have searched the fair and found nothing. Apparently fair people are usually cooperative, so I am now really worried over my daughter's whereabouts."

Mrs Bond sobbed as she said her daughter was a happy-go-lucky girl and "not at all streetwise," who had only ever stopped out one night in her life.

"Gemma is quite naive. She is trusting and not at all streetwise. I have never had any trouble with her and am terrified that she has fallen in with a bad lot. There is all sorts going through my mind," she said.

Family and friends have rallied around with messages of support for the family.

Gemma is described as 5ft 2ins and stocky, with dark brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.

She was wearing blue jeans, a yellow Ellesse jumper, black jacket and five silver rings on her right hand.

A spokesman for Clitheroe Police said: "Gemma has only just turned 14 and is being classed as a vulnerable missing person. We are very concerned about her."

If you have any information regarding Gemma's whereabouts, please contact Clitheroe Police on 01200 443344 in confidence.

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