THE family of missing prostitute Rachel Wilson today made an emotional appeal for her to get in touch.

The 19-year-old was last seen in Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, at about 11.30pm a fortnight ago.

Her family say despite her problems, Rachel never let a day go by without a visit or telephone call.

Her mum, Tina, said: "I think she would have told me about any problems she had. I knew about her drug taking, although she denied it because she knew it would hurt me.

"If she has gone missing because of something else I don't know about, it's alright whatever it is we can work it out together.

"She may have had a lifestyle a lot of people would not understand, but she is my daughter.

"She is a loving, kind and caring girl. Rachel has always kept in touch with us and her silence is really worrying us all."

Rachel's sister Nicola, 18, was unable to attend the press conference as she was at home looking after her four-week-old daughter McKenzie.

However, a statement read out on her behalf said: "We all miss you, we know you adored your niece and she was the apple of your eye.

"We need you to get in touch, and would ask that anyone who has any information about Rachel's whereabouts please ring the police and let them know."

David Hardy, Rachel's grandad, said: "I really miss you coming to see me and having a chat and us watching Coronation Street together before you went out. Please get in touch and let us know you are safe."

A confidential telephone number has now been set up in the Incident Room at Middlesbrough Police Station.

Anybody who wants to speak directly to Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson, who is leading the investigation, should contact him on 07740 070624.

He said: "This is a very distressing time for Rachel's family and we need the public's help in coming forward with any reasons as to why she has disappeared.

"The police activity to find her is continuing and we are following a number of lines of inquiry in our efforts to trace Rachel."