FEARS are growing for an au pair who has disappeared in the North-East.

Brown-haired Gulchin Yilmas, 21, was last seen heading across Newcastle to catch a train back to Teesside, where she was staying with a family.

Cleveland Police say the Turkish woman has not been seen since last Sunday and they are "anxious" to trace her.

Gulchin lives and works with a family in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, but has a Saturday job at a Newcastle restaurant.

A police spokeswoman said: "Gulchin was last seen by friends in Newcastle at about 11am on Sunday, April 22, when she was heading towards the Metro Station to travel back to Teesside. The family she is living with in Middlesbrough and her boyfriend have not heard from her."

Gulchin is described as 5ft 4in tall, of medium build, with blue-grey eyes and brown, shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a long brown coat, blue jeans and brown boots.

Anyone seeing her is asked to ring Sergeant Paul Baker at Grangetown Police Station on (01642) 301926.