TWO New Forest teenagers who ran away together are thought to be staying with friends in the Thames Valley area.

Luke Parker, 15, and his 13-year-old girlfriend, Chantelle Fisher, both from Milford-on-Sea, have now been missing for more than a fortnight.

Police are carrying out extensive inquiries in the Slough area, where Luke has friends and relatives.

But all attempts to trace the teenage sweethearts have so far drawn a blank, sparking fears that they may have gone to ground.

A Thames Valley police spokesman said: "Everyone is out looking for them.

"Their pictures have been given to police officers and CCTV operators. We have also asked the local media to publicise their disappearance and appeal for any sightings.

"One caller said she thought she'd seen them on a bus in central Slough.

"We have considered the possibility that they might be sleeping rough or living in a tent, but nothing has been found. They may well be staying with someone.

"If they were on the streets they would have been found by now because the place is absolutely bristling with CCTV.

"Officers have been to various addresses but so far there has been no trace of the couple."

The two teenagers disappeared on August 2 - a fortnight ago yesterday. They vanished shortly after Chantelle, of Shorefield Way, Milford-on-Sea, arrived at Luke's house and said she planned to stay the night.

Luke, who also lives in the village, announced that he was going to see a friend. His mother later discovered he had not arrived and Chantelle was not in bed.

The teenagers were seen in Slough on August 5 and are also thought to have visited Buckinghamshire.