The parents of two teenage girls who disappeared last week have made a tearful plea for them to get in touch.

Kayleigh Edwards, 15, and her friend Hayley Piper, also 15, ran away from their homes in Brighton last Thursday.

They took no money or clothes and police are becoming increasingly concerned for their safety.

Julie Edwards, of Meadowview, Bevendean, broke down in tears as she appealed to daughter Kayleigh: "Please, please ring home. I am really worried."

She said: "We had not argued and she had been looking forward to going to The Event nightclub. I have no idea where she is. She has never run away before. It is totally out of character."

The last the girls' parents heard was on Saturday, when Hayley spoke to her father on her mobile phone. She said they were trying to come back home but were lost.

Both girls, who attend East Brighton College of Media Arts, were due at Eisenegger in Churchill Square on Thursday for work experience but the shop rang their parents when they failed to show up.

It is believed the girls might have gone to see their boyfriends, who are about the same age, in London.

Andy Piper said his daughter Hayley had run away from home before to stay with friends in Brighton but she had always let him know where she was.

He said: "I got through to Hayley on Saturday. She said they were lost on the train and then the phone went dead. I am really worried now.

"I would just like her to phone us or the police and let us know if she is all right."

A spokeswoman for Brighton police said: "We don't know where they are and would appeal for any friends who do to get in touch. They are still only children and are not street-wise."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Dacey at Brighton police on 0845 6070999.