Police are continuing to search for missing Alex Heamen after sightings of a girl matching her description turned out to be false.

Officers tracked down a girl seen on Brighton seafront but it was not the 14-year-old who has been missing from her home in Abergavenney Road in Lewes for almost three weeks.

More than 30 officers, led by Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert of the major crime branch, are working round the clock to find Alex.

She left her home on September 1 to meet friends in Brighton for the weekend but did not return in time for the start of the new term at Priory School in Lewes on Sunday.

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

She was last seen walking on Brighton's Palace Pier with two men on September 4.

Her grandparents have travelled from Cornwall and a family liaison officer is supporting Miss Leverton as she waits for news of her only child.

Alex is described as white, about 5ft 6in tall, of medium build with blue eyes, dyed medium brown hair and was last seen wearing light blue jeans, white jacket and black boots.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen Alex or knows where she may be is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Warren.