POLICE are hoping security camera footage of a missing North-East prostitute could hold the key to her disappearance.

Rachel Wilson, 19, went missing from her hometown of Middlesbrough on May 30 and has not been seen since.

Officers investigating the case have uncovered clear footage of her "loitering" in the town centre four hours after she was last seen.

Acting Detective Inspector Andy Greenwood said yesterday that the teenager's mother had identified her.

"Quite clearly it was a distressing experience for her. However she does confirm it was Rachel," he said.

"Previously, the last confirmed sighting of Rachel was at 11.30pm. We now know she was around the Woodlands Road/Southfield Road area of Middlesbrough at about 3.30am on Friday, May 31."

The footage shows Rachel - who turned to prostitution to fund a drug habit - walking up and down both roads, wearing a white, hooded, padded jacket, white trousers and white training shoes.

"It is about four hours after the last confirmed sighting, and she is alive and well, without what would appear to be any care or concern," said Acting Det Insp Greenwood. "She's not looking over her shoulder at anyone."

He urged anyone who was in the Woodlands Road or Southfield Road area at that time to come forward.

"The cameras have shown that, perhaps surprisingly, many people were in the locality. The area is a major route through Middlesbrough and a busy taxi firm has its office on Southfield Road.

"We want to hear from people who were in the area, whether they were going for a taxi, returning from a club or just walking home. They may think they can't help us but information they hold could prove vital to our inquiry."

Rachel, from Grove Hill, is the third vice girl from Teesside to go missing from the streets of Middlesbrough.

Vicky Glass also turned to prostitution to feed her heroin addiction. The 21-year-old was last seen in 1998 and her remains were found on the North York Moors, two years ago. Her killer has never been caught.

Vice girl and addict, Donna Keogh, 17, disappeared without trace from the same are of Middlesbrough town centre.

Anyone with information can call a confidential hotline on 07740 070624, the incident room on (01642) 303187 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.