The worried parents of a rebellious 13-year-old missing for 11 days have made an emotional plea for her to return home.

Rachel Golden was last seen at her home in Jarvis Brook, Crowborough, at about 5pm on Monday, August 1.

It is the third time the "bright but moody" schoolgirl has run away in the past year but on both previous occasions she was found within 48 hours.

Police do not think she has been abducted of lured away by an internet paedophile but are concerned about her safety.

Speaking at a press conference at Uckfield police station yesterday, her mother Elizabeth, 46, said: "Rachel we all really, really miss you and we need to know that you are okay.

"Please contact somebody, a member of the family or a friend, because we are all going through hell at the moment."

Rachel has an interest in gothic culture and the first time she ran away she went to Peterborough where she met people with similar interests.

The next time, in February, she headed straight to Peterborough. Police have contacted her friends there but none of them knows Rachel's whereabouts.

Her father Michael, 51, who works for the Financial Services Authority, said he was not sure why Rachel had run away. He added: "There is no specific incident which may have caused her to leave like this."

Inspector Rex Williams, Wealden district commander, said: "Rachel is 13 and our concern is that she could become the victim of crime due to her age and vulnerability."

Rachel only had about £40 in cash when she left and no access to money. She was last seen wearing a black hooded top with a Slipknot motif, blue jeans and brown trainers.

She is 5ft 4ins, of solid build with brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

She is believed to be carrying a black EastPack rucksack with pop band Him and Cradle Of Filth sticker badges on it.

Rachel wears three earrings in her left ear and two in her right.

Contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.