A 14-year-old runaway has tried to marry her 23-year-old first cousin.

Margaret O'Brien ran away with James Patrick O'Brien on Good Friday.

It is believed the couple, both from the travelling community in Thornaby, Teesside, approached a priest to marry them in Larne, Northern Ireland.

The couple are now thought to be heading to Southern Ireland in their quest to get married.

Although it is legal for cousins to wed, people can only marry over the age of 16.

Police are treating the case as child abduction and a massive hunt for Margaret has been launched.

In a statement Margaret's mother Catherine O'Brien said: "I want Margaret to know she is not in any trouble.

"All we want is for her to get in touch and come home. The whole family is in a terrible state, not knowing where she is and what is going on. "All I want is for her to make some contact, for her to ring me or someone close. Not knowing is a dreadful thing.

"It is a hurt that causes terrible pain to all those that care for her."

Speaking directly to Margarent she said: "I love you and just want the best for you and I can only do that if you come back home. Please, please make contact."

Detective Superintendent Shane Sellers revealed that the couple had headed up to Scotland before crossing to Ireland.

He said: "There is a massive police search going on for Margaret.

"A hunt was yesterday concentrated in Scotland but today it has switched to Ireland.

"Mr O'Brien has strong Teesside links but has been working for some time in Europe. He is from the travelling community "Yesterday we received information he had travelled to Scotland where some of his relations live.

"We received a great deal of help from the Scottish police and media. As a result of our appeals a lady from Dumfries and Galloway, who had been in Northern Ireland on a weekend break, retruend home and became aware of the police appeal.

"She made contact to say she had seen a young woman with an older man at the Curran Court Hotel in Larne.

"She particularly noticed the girl because of her striking looks and the fact she was with an older man.

"The police service of Northern Ireland made enquiries for us and it appears they arrived at the hotel on march 27 paying for their visit with Scottish bank.

"It is believed they had approached a priest to marry them and were refused. As a result we think they have now headed to Southern Ireland.

"The Garda have been alerted. All ports and airports in the whole of Ireland have also been alerted.

"Margaret has been taken from the control and custody of her parents.

"She is vulnerable because of her age. It is important that we find her."

The woman witness told police Margaret had looked "fine" when she saw her.

Patrick O'Brien, who is originally from Southern Ireland, is know to the police. Officers would not reveal his occupation or where he has worked in Europe.

The family had been aware that the couple had been in a relationship for the last 12 months.

Detective Superintendent Sellers said: "It was a relationship that Margaret's mother did not approve of."