THE mother of schoolgirl Morgan Thomson spoke of her relief after being reunited with her missing daughter following a ten-day search by police and family members.

Sixteen-year-old Morgan, from Newton Aycliffe, had not been seen since Tuesday, October 11, when she failed to turn up to school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Her disappearance sparked a major police investigation, and on Thursday night Durham Police confirmed that a girl matching her description had been spotted on a train heading out of Peterborough at about 7.30pm.

The teenager was confirmed as Morgan, and British Transport Police officers stayed with her until she could be met by family members.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, her emotional mother Becci Spry said: "There are no words for the relief I'm feeling.

"To have this in the first place is devastating enough but to have her coming back is unbelievable - I've sobbed.

"We've never been apart, not for this long - she's my world.

"I've never had the police or news involved before and I can't ever explain how grateful I am."

Ms Spry, a mother-of-two, travelled half way to London with police on Thursday night to meet Morgan.

Inspector Andy Reeves of Durham Police said: "We were very relieved to get the call telling us Morgan was safe and her family are obviously delighted. Thanks to everyone who shared our appeal to help trace her."

It is believed that Morgan had travelled to London to be with her boyfriend.

Police are still searching for 15-year-old Charlie Hurd.

Merton Police in London, which had earlier appealed for information about the whereabouts of both youngsters, confirmed the search for Charlie was still ongoing.

Earlier on Thursday, before Morgan was found, Ms Spry said she felt reassured that the search had gained more attention thanks to continuing police appeals and shares on social media.

She welcomed a pick up in pace in the search with the British Transport Police now alerted and further appeals from police.

Morgan is a carer for her mother, who suffers from medical problems including a rare neurological condition.