A WORRIED mum made a desperate plea today for help in finding her 15-year-old daughter who went missing on her birthday more than a week ago.

Emma Jones disappeared from social services accommodation in Liverpool last Wednesday and is believed to have caught a train to East Lancashire.

Her mother, Michelle Jones, of Dickens Street, Blackburn, said: "I am worried sick.

"It wouldn't be so bad if she rung up and let us know how she is. She has gone missing before, but only overnight. I have searched the streets and am unable to sleep with worry."

Emma left her accommodation with another teenage girl and both caught a train to Nelson. The other girl was found and confirmed that Emma had been with her. Emma had been at a school in Liverpool for children with behavioural problems for 18 months. She returned to her Blackburn home during weekends and holidays.

Both Mrs Jones and her husband, Frank Hassell, have searched with family and friends the places in East Lancashire where Emma is known to have visited in the past.

Mrs Jones last spoke to her daughter on the telephone on her 15th birthday and she gave no indication she was about to disappear.

She said her two other children, Ashley, six, and Amy, nine, have been missing their older sister.

"Ashley is due to go into hospital for an operation for his hearing and he keeps asking when Emma is coming home," she said.

Emma is 5ft 7in with blonde to brown hair and usually wears a blue jacket and tracksuit bottoms.

Inspector Tony Harling, of Blackburn Police, said: "We have called at a number of addresses in East Lancashire in connection with the matter. Anyone with information should contact us on 01254 51212."

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