Fears for girl, 15, missing with man

Concern is growing for the safety of a 15-year-old girl believed to have gone missing with a 41-year-old man.

Zara Thornber was last seen wearing her school uniform near public toilets in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, around 1pm on Thursday.

She is believed to be with a man called Michael Page and since then there has been no contact with either of them.

Zara was carrying a blue school bag and small Shelley bag at the junction of North Park Road and The Stray when she was last seen.

The St John Fisher school pupil was wearing a blue blazer which may have the school badge on the pocket, a pale blue shirt, black trousers, and trainers.

Mr Page was described as white, and 5ft 7ins, with short dirty blond hair, small and sunken blue eyes, and a west country accent.

Police say he has a large nose and square jaw line and is extensively tattooed on his arms with a tattoo of a swallow on his neck. Two of his front teeth are missing.

The pair were believed to have walked to the bus or railway station together and might now have left the area.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Police are increasingly worried for Zara's safety and would urge anyone with any information as to her whereabouts to contact them urgently."

Anyone with information has been asked to call the dedicated witness line 01423 539334 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.