A FAMILY whose disappearance led to a nationwide alert have been found safe and well.

The Allens contacted police following national appeals for information and were said to be bemused by all the fuss.

Christine Allen, who was thought to be suffering from depression, went missing 12 days ago, although she contacted a relative by phone at the beginning of last week.

Then, last Thursday her husband Nicholas, 30, and her daughter Lisa, 14, were also reported missing from their home, in Acomb, York.

Police in North Yorkshire were baffled by the disappearances, which they believed may have been the result of some "financial issues".

However yesterday, police in York received a phone call from Nicholas Allen, who said he and the family were safe and well.

He said they were in South Yorkshire where they had seen the appeals for information and "didn't know what the fuss was about".

Police in South Yorkshire have visited the family and confirmed that all three were safe and in no danger.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire police said: "Mr Allen told us that they just needed to get away to sort out some problems and that's what they are doing."