Hunt for love-struck schoolgirl and tattooed fairground worker

Zara Thornber, 15, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, struck up a relationship with tattooed Michael Page when the touring fair came to the town last summer.

The pair, who have been seeing each other despite resistance from the teenager's family, disappeared on Thursday afternoon and were last seen in Harrogate's Stray area.

Last night, Zara's 43-year-old father, David, a civil servant, pleaded with his daughter to get in touch.

Mr Thornber said: "She has had the usual teenage flings but this is probably the first time she has said that she is in love.

"She is obsessed with this bloke and we just want her to get in touch. We are missing her."

He pleaded: "If you can't get home, just get in touch with somebody to let us know you are OK and we can take it from there."

Mr Thornber said since his daughter had been seeing Mr Page, the happy-go-lucky teenager's character had changed dramatically and she had threatened to run away and quit school if her family continued to try to end the relationship.

The disappearance had left his wife Julie, 42, a care assistant, "very upset", while Zara's sisters Laura, 20, and Stephanie, 17, were also missing her.

The St John Fisher School pupil was last seen wearing a blue blazer which may have the school badge on the pocket, a pale blue shirt, black trousers and trainers. She was carrying a blue school bag and small Shelley bag.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said forces nationwide had been alerted.

Zara is about 5ft 4in, thin, with shoulder-length ginger hair, green eyes and a fair complexion.

Mr Page is described as white, about 5ft 7in, with short, fair hair and has small, sunken blue eyes and a West Country accent.

He also has extensive tattoos on his arms and another of a swallow on his neck, while two of his front teeth are missing.

Anyone with information has been asked to call the dedicated witness line on (01423) 539334 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.