A Sussex schoolgirl who went missing for two weeks has been found by police in north-west England.

Miley Smart's family were in anguish after the 16-year-old disappeared from her home in Whitehawk, Brighton, on May 23.

Police yesterday found her safe and well in Blackpool with a 30-year-old male friend.

The GCSE student moved out of her family home in Warbleton Close into the flat of her 19-year-old boyfriend, Melvin, a week before disappearing with his older flatmate.

Police investigating Miley's disappearance put out an appeal for information, saying they were concerned for her welfare because of her age. The teenager was found by officers in Blackpool soon afterwards.

Miley's mother Donna spoke of the moment she learnt her daughter was safe.

She said: "The police knocked on the door at 4am and I instantly thought she had died. At that stage my heart was in my throat and when they said they had found her I was so relieved.

"I hope this has frightened the life out of her and she won't do it again. At the same time I feel so happy she is safe."

After discovering Miley was well, Mrs Smart and her husband Chris had to take their youngest daughter, 11-year-old April, to hospital to have her tonsils removed.

Mrs Smart said: "I am exhausted. I have hardly had any sleep because of worrying but both of my daughters are okay now."

Mr Smart travelled to Blackpool yesterday to pick Miley up from the police station.

Mrs Smart has no idea why her daughter ran away.

She last heard from her when Miley, a student at Hove Park Upper School, called her from a phone box in Whitehawk on May 23 and asked her to ring back. But when she did there was no reply.

A couple of days later the teenager left a message with Mrs Smart's cousin saying she was going to Blackpool.

This came a week after Miley moved into her boyfriend's flat in Nuthurst Place, Brighton, following a row with her parents.

Mrs Smart said: "I wasn't all right about her living with her boyfriend but what can you do?

"I thought I would let her spread her wings and I thought she would come back.

"She is a very homely girl. I can't think of any reason why she would want to run away."