Detectives are investigating possible sightings of missing teenager Alex Heamen.

The 14-year-old vanished from her home in Lewes more than two weeks ago and has not been seen since.

Sussex Police's major crime branch has taken over the investigation and is following up several unconfirmed sightings of a girl matching Alex's description in Lewes and Brighton.

More than 30 officers are working around the clock to trace the teenager, who left her home in Abergavenney Road, Lewes, on September 1 to meet friends in Brighton for the weekend.

She sent a text message to her mother, Tamsin Leverton, two days later but has not used her mobile phone since.

She was last seen walking on the Palace Pier in Brighton with two men on September 4 and police are examining CCTV footage of the pier and the beach.

Detective chief inspector Adam Hibbert, leading the search, said: "We are still treating this as a missing person inquiry and are encouraged by the response received from members of the public since our last appeal."

Miss Leverton, 33, made an emotional appeal for Alex, her only child, to get in touch at a Press conference last Friday.

She said: "Alex please, please come home. I love and miss you so very much and just want you home safe and sound where you belong.

"Please, if you don't want to call anyone else, call your grandma on your mobile.

"To Alex's friends and parents of those friends, if you have any information at all, no matter how small or insignificant you feel it is, please get in touch."

Hundreds of posters have been put up in Brighton and Lewes and police urge anyone who knows where Alex is to come forward.

They have emphasised that neither Alex, nor any of her friends who may have information about her disappearance, are in trouble.

Alex is described as white, about 5ft 6in, medium build with blue eyes and dyed medium brown hair.

She is believed to be wearing light blue jeans, a white jacket and black boots.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Warren.