THE father of abandoned teenager Laura Walker was trying desperately to get home to his daughter last night.

The 15-year-old girl was left alone at Redmire, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, with only £25 when her mother flew to Turkey to start a new life in the sun with her holiday romance boyfriend.

After the teenager's plight was revealed in The Northern Echo yesterday, a number of friends and members of her extended family came forward to offer her a home.

Among those was the girl's father. Believed to be from Darlington, he is abroad and was made aware of the situation by one of Laura's grandparents.

"He has made contact and is making arrangements to get back as soon as possible," said Derek Law, corporate director of North Yorkshire social services.

Mr Law said Laura was not being made the subject of a care order.

"She is 15 and doesn't need to be in the care system. Enough relatives have come forward to offer her a short or long-term home."

He added: "We are grateful for the publicity in that so many friends and relatives have come forward."

Laura was said to be coping well with the situation. Through the social services, she said she "was pleased to be among close friends and relatives", but added that she now wanted some peace and quiet.

She was abandoned when her mother, Elaine, and elder sister Stacey, 17, flew to Turkey more than two weeks ago. They are thought to be in the resort of Side.

People in Redmire said that both women met boyfriends while on holiday in Turkey in June.

Miss Walker, who also has two grown-up children, had handed in her notice at work. She told the housing association from which she rented her house that she would not be back.

Police are investigating the case and working with the social services department.

But they insisted the inquiry was at an early stage and had no plans to send officers to Turkey to speak to Miss Walker - although that could change.

A family friend said: "Stacey was always Elaine's favourite. Laura never got a look in.

"Stacey is easily led and her mum is like a teenager herself, and they would go round together like a pair of teenagers.

"Laura is just lovely, but she is her own girl and does not get on that well with her mum."

Social services said the main priority was to ensure the security and safety of Laura.

Mr Law said: "She is the victim of a situation completely beyond her control, and in the circumstances she is coping remarkably well."

He added: "While this particular situation has attracted a great deal of media attention, it is not uncommon.

"Social services across the country regularly have to deal with children who, for one reason or another, have been abandoned by their parents.

"We have dealt with similar situations in North Yorkshire in the past. One of the reasons for the existence of social services is to deal with cases like this."

He said Laura and social services officials were now talking to her relatives to establish the most suitable arrangements to meet her needs.

* Do you know Laura's father? If so, get in touch with The Northern Echo's newsdesk on (01325) 505054.