FRIENDS of missing teenager Jenny Nicholl yesterday spoke of their shock at the 19-year-old's disappearance.

It is now more than a week since Miss Nicholl was last seen at her home in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Police said the teenager's parents were extremely worried for their daughter's safety.

Yesterday her friends also spoke of their concern. Sam Knowles, 19, from Richmond, went to the town's St Francis Xavier School with Miss Nicholl.

She said: "Jenny was popular at school and would talk to everybody. People in Richmond are really concerned and want her back safe and well."

Vicky Lawrie, 18, said: "She's is a very friendly and funny girl and we are all concerned," she said.

"Richmond is a small town and people are shocked that this could happen."

The friends said Miss Nicholl is a keen musician and played guitar at the annual Richmond Live festival.

Detective Inspector Pete Martin, the officer leading the investigation, said police had travelled to the Lake District to follow up information that she was camping either in Cumbria or Scotland.

Officers are keen to trace the movements of the teenager's car - a white Rover 214 - found in the car park of the Holly Hill pub.

The car was left sometime between 12.30am on Sunday, July 3, and 4pm the next day.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone North Yorkshire Police on (01423) 539334.