Two Chinese sisters who arrived in Brighton and Hove for a language course have gone missing.

Lingran Lin, 11, and Lingshan Lin, 15, from Fujian, arrived on Sunday with Beijing language group Sky Dynamic.

They spent their first night with a host family in Glebe Villas, Hove, and began classes at Brighton and Hove City College on Monday. They were last seen near the house, after getting off a 49 bus, at 5.45pm the same day.

Text messages have been sent from the girls' mobile phones to their parents in Fujian saying they had met friends from China who were living in Brighton. They said they were going to stay with them and that their parents were not to worry.

Inspector Julie Wakeford, from Hove police station, said: "The father has told us he knows where the girls are and he is not concerned. He says they are with friends but he will not tell us who they are or where they are.

"They have completely disappeared and we are concerned about their welfare and safety due to their ages.

"It's possible they may want to stay in the country."

Officers hope CCTV footage at Brighton Rail Station may offer some clues.

Shine Yong Shan, from Sky Dynamic, said: "I am extremely concerned they have not contacted myself or a member of my staff and I would encourage them to do so quickly."

Anyone who knows the girls whereabouts should call police on 0845 6070999.