CONCERN is growing for the welfare of a teenager who went missing from her North-East home over Christmas.

Cherise Barfoot was reported missing to police in Durham on December 27,  having last been seen at her home address in Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland.

The 15-year-old has family links to the Bromley and Chessington (Surrey) areas and has also previously resided in Meopham, Kent, and Nottingham.

Police received a report that she was seen in the Haringey area on December 28, but believe she could be in any of the areas she has connections with, as well as the Greater London area.

The youngster is described as a light-skinned black girl, with shoulder-length blonde hair, of slim build and approximately 5ft 2ins tall.

She was last seen wearing a black padded-jacket with a fur hood, grey tracksuit bottoms and black Nike trainers with a purple tick logo.

PC Richard Teall, from Bromley's missing persons unit, who is leading the investigation said: “Cherise is a vulnerable young girl and we are keen to locate her as quickly as possible.

“We would urge anyone who might have seen her or has been in contact with her to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information should contact police in Bromley on 0208-284-8766 or call the Missing People charity on 116000.