PARENTS of a teenage runaway, who disappeared six weeks ago after losing her job, have told of their relief at her discovery.

In an ironic twist, as a result of the search for the County Durham couple's daughter, two other missing teenage girls were found in the county.

The original hunt was for Lisa-Marie Perry, who left her home in Lanchester, County Durham, on Friday, October 27.

She had been pretending to go to work every day, even though she had lost her job in Durham City.

Her mother and stepfather, Jean and Will Perry, 38 and 34, had feared Lisa-Marie, who was originally from the US and has a distinctive American accent, may be pregnant - but those worries appear to have been unfounded.

The extensive campaign to find her by police led to the discovery of another American girl in Durham City.

That unnamed girl was described as being in a dishevelled state after she ran away from her parents in London.

Another 15-year-old, from Durham City, was also found, this time in Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Perry said his step-daughter, who has found a new job and place to live in the capital, appears to have left for reasons of "teenage angst".

He said: "I think she felt nothing was working out for her with work, or even with her friends. You can imagine our relief, and I would just like to thank the police and everyone who supported us."

Lisa-Marie was traced to the Victoria area of London after her new employers deposited wages in her account.