THE parents of a schoolgirl found after more than two months missing from home today spoke of their joy at her return and said: "It's better than winning the lottery."

Albert and Michelle Trundle had a tearful reunion with their daughter Sarah Louise Watson at their home in Leamington Avenue, Burnley, after she was found by police in Manchester.

Sarah Louise, 15, sparked a massive police search after she disappeared from a friend's address in Colne Road on July 17.

A dedicated team of detectives were involved in the daily hunt for the teenager and police even took the unprecedented step of offering a cash reward for

information about Sarah Louise.

She was found in Manchester on Wednesday night by officers from Burnley after a tip-off from a member of the public.

Police are continuing to investigate why she ran away and who she has been with during the ten weeks she has been away from home.

Today Sarah Louise's dad, Albert, said: "It is absolutely tremendous that she is back safe and well. It's better than winning the lottery.

"Obviously because she was missing for such a long time terrible thoughts start to go through your mind and it is such a relief that Sarah Louise is OK, especially when you hear about some of the awful things that happen to other youngsters who have gone missing.

"The whole family has been praying for this moment and everyone is overjoyed that she has come back home. We want to put all this behind us now and just get on with our lives and look to the future."

Mr Trundle added: "I want to thank the police, especially Detective Constable Dave Groombridge, who put so much effort into finding Sarah Louise and also the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, who made so many appeals for her safe return."

Headteacher at Sarah Louise's school, St Hilda's girl's school, Miss Bernadette Bleasdale, said: "We are all delighted that Sarah is back safe and well. We have been saying prayers for her every day since she disappeared and it's wonderful news that she has returned."

DC Groombridge of Burnley CID said: "Everyone is obviously relieved that Sarah Louise is back alive and well. She has been reunited with her parents and we will be talking to her to try to establish exactly where she has been."