A WORRIED East Lancashire mother was today anxiously waiting for news of her daughter and three grandchildren after they failed to phone home from tornado-devastated Florida.

Twelve twisters tore through the state wrecking everything in their path and leaving 39 people dead, with 120 reported missing.

British Airways air hostess Briony Beeney, 31, flew to America last Monday with husband Stephen and children Samuel, one, Daniel, eight, and 10-year-old Shaun.

"I haven't heard anything from them since they went," said mum Mrs Criena McGarry, of Butts Mount, Great Harwood.

"I'm sure everything is OK but it would be just nice to hear from her to be sure."

Mrs McGarry and her son-in-law's family have no firm details about where they were planning to stay once they arrived in Florida for the two-week break.

"All we know is that they were thinking of staying in Kissimmee for the week and then moving on. They probably just think we know that everything is all right."

Briony, 31, now lives in Sussex but rings home at least twice a week unless she is away.

She joined British Airways around five years ago after working for Thomsons as a holiday rep.

Meanwhile the daughter of Clitheroe woman Margaret Howe today said she was concerned for the safety of her mum.

Mrs Howe, of Alma Place in Clitheroe, was last known to be staying in the St Petersburg resort of Florida, just south of hurricane-hit Tampa.

She is known to have spoken to national reporters of her terror at being caught up in the storms, but has so far failed to contact home.

Denise said: "I still haven't heard from her and am starting to get worried. I'm surprised that she hasn't rung, if she is able to. She will know that I am anxious. I am now just waiting by the phone," she said.

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