A mother had the best present of all when her missing teenage daughter came home for Christmas.

Fifteen-year-old Holly Sale had disappeared for nearly a week but was reunited with her family on Christmas Day.

The youngster was spotted by police on patrol along Southend seafront in the morning and they took her home.

Holly, of Maplin Way, Thorpe Bay, sparked a media appeal when she mysteriously disappeared on the Saturday before Christmas.

She had been out bowling with friends from a youth club at the Kursaal in Southend and had told friends she was meeting another friend and would be getting a lift back.

When she did not return, her mum, Sharon, made an emotional appeal asking her daughter to return to enjoy a family Christmas.

Police will not reveal how or why Holly disappeared but said they are glad she is safe and well.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Holly was returned to her family and we would like to thank everybody who helped with the appeal."

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