Up to 100 volunteers have been combing the streets searching for a 14-year-old Southend schoolgirl who has been missing for three days.

Catherine Walsh, 14, of Newington Avenue, Southchurch, has not been seen since Saturday morning.

Her desperate family today appealed for her to come home as an army of relatives and volunteers looked everywhere for her.

Catherine, who has short bobbed brown hair and very big blue eyes, went to Southend on Saturday morning and has not been seen since. She is a pupil at the Thorpe Bay School.

Catherine's sister Samantha Walsh, 21, said both her and mum Susan, were desperate for news.

She said: "She has never done anything like this before. She only had around £20 on her and did not take a change of clothes."

Catherine is 5ft 6ins tall, of medium build and has her belly button pierced. She looks older for her age and is known to go to Southend nightclub Storm.

Insp Richard Thomas, of Southend police, confirmed Catherine was missing.

He said: "If anyone knows where she is they should ring Southend police on 01702 431212."

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