A TEENAGE girl whose Burnley father is accused of her abduction has been found dead in a park in Northern Ireland.

Darlene Bell, 15, had been staying at a residential care home in Newtownards before her death.

She was the subject of a police alert in March when she was allegedly taken from Northern Ireland to East Lancashire.

Her father Darren, who was interviewed by Burnley detect-ives about his daughter’s disappearance, is due to appear in court again on July 29.

He is charged with her abduction and police have confirmed that the case was still proceeding.

Another member of the girl’s close family, 24-year-old Daniel Bell, from Belfast, was charged with the same offence and has appeared in court in Northern Ireland.

Tributes have been paid to the youngster by the children’s charity Barnado’s, which looked after Darlene since the age of eight.

Charity director Lynda Wilson said: “She was a bright spark of a little girl and a very loveable child.

“Our staff loved her very much and they are devastated by her death.”

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman confirmed that a 15-year-old girl had been found dead in the Glenford Park area of Newtownards in the early hours.

The province’s health and social care board has pledged to carry out a review into the circum-stances surrounding Darlene’s death.

Tributes have been left by friends at the scene of her death, which is suspected to be related to solvent abuse.