TWO teenage girls have been found safe and well near their homes.

Francesca Thomas and Gemma Lennon went missing five days ago.

Their parents had believed the 15-year-olds were going to classes at the Sacred Heart School, Redcar, east Cleveland.

But the pair, who had made arrangements to call at a friend's house, changed out of their uniforms, saying they were going shopping in Guisborough.

Inquiries by police last night established that the pair have spent at least the past two days at a house in Grangetown, Teesside.

They were reunited with their families following numerous calls to Crimestoppers, made in response to public appeals for information.

A police spokesman said last night: "Police received a number of calls via the Crimestoppers line to say the girls were in Grangetown."

The school contacted the parents when their daughters failed to turn up for lessons.

Police inquiries failed to trace the girls, who made no contact with their families or friends. Through the media, officers urged the pair to ring the police or their parents to assure them they were safe.