POLICE fear a 13-year-old girl who vanished almost two weeks ago may have run off with travellers.

Detectives are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Kirsty Wells who vanished from her Lancing foster home on May 9.

They think she is in the Shoreham area and may be with a group of travellers or a funfair.

Kirsty's devastated family today appealed for the missing teenager to get in touch.

At her home in Broadfield, Crawley, mum Linda Wells said she was becoming more and more concerned about her daughter's safety.

And she hopes that Kirsty will be back in time to celebrate her 14th birthday on Monday.

She said: "She has gone missing before but always came back in two or three days. She has never been gone this long.

"She was unhappy at the idea of having to leave her foster carers and move to another home which was why she ran away.

"The fact that her birthday is coming up and we still haven't heard anything makes us even more concerned."

Kirsty's brothers Shane, 12, and Glen, four, and Linda's partner Terry, 31, are all desperately waiting for news.

Kirsty moved out of the family home in Primrose Close just over a year ago but keeps in constant touch with her family.

Unemployed Linda, 32, said: "She never knew her dad, so I know she hasn't gone to him, and the police have contacted all her friends."

"I have no idea idea where she has gone but all I would ask is that she contacts someone so we know she is all right."

Police spokesman PC Chris Saunder said: "It is thought she is staying somewhere in the Shoreham area and may be with a funfair or travellers."

Police described Kirsty, who attends Kings Manor School at Shoreham, as 5ft 3in, of slim build, fair complexion, with dark hair worn in a bob.

She was wearing a black puffa jacket, a green fleece jumper with black velvet bell-bottoms and blue canvas Adidas training shoes. She has a scar on her right cheek.

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