A teenage girl missing for more than three weeks has been found safe and well. Sherrie Baker, of Chadborn Close, Brighton, was discovered living in a squat in Bournemouth, Dorset.

The 14-year-old disappeared last month following an argument with her mother. She vanished with a man ten years her senior who was a family friend.

Gareth Russell, 24, also known as Mr Minchin, was arrested yesterday on charges of child abduction.

He was bailed to report back to a Sussex police station next month.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove Police said: "Gareth Russell was arrested for child abduction. He has since been bailed to report back to a Sussex police station. Inquiries are ongoing.

"There was a lot of concern for her because of her age and officers have been working flat out to establish her whereabouts. We are pleased that she is safe and well and we will speak to her to establish what happened."

The spokeswoman thanked all those members of the public who assisted with the search and who called in with information.

Yesterday afternoon it was believed that Sherrie was still with the authorities in Bournemouth while waiting for a member of her family to collect her.

Sherrie's father Cliff Baker, from Henfield, said: "Sherrie has been found and she is well. She was discovered by police in a squat in Bournemouth, Dorset. She was with Gareth and apparently he has been arrested."

Mr Baker, a 43-year-old construction worker, thanked The Argus for its support during the search.

Relatives had handed out posters of Sherrie across the South East after the schoolgirl left home on September 27.

Photographs were put up in Brighton, London and Southampton.