TWO Hampshire families today spoke of their relief after their missing teenage daughters returned home.

The parents of Kerry Leigh Phillips, 14, and Leighann Gale, 15, were frantic with worry after the pair disappeared five days ago.

The Daily Echo ran an appeal on Saturday urging the two young girls to go home.

Lymington police had received several sightings of the teenagers before they were finally found by Kerry's father walking between New Milton and Lymington last night.

It is unclear at this time why the two girls decided to leave home.

Mum Helen Phillips said she was just delighted to have them back.

She said: "We've got Kelly and Leighann back this afternoon. They're both home safe and well.

"My husband Michael was out searching and found them walking along a main road from New Milton to Lymington.

"They said they had been hiding out. They didn't say why they went but we're more than happy that they're safe."

Police officers visited the pair at Kerry's home in Meadow Road to warn them of the dangers of leaving home without telling their parents.

The two girls disappeared from Leighann's parents' home in Bays Road, Lymington, about 6.20pm on Wednesday last week.

In an emotional appeal Leighann's mum Ann Gale had begged her daughter to contact home, saying: "We just want to hear you're OK.

"We're all so worried. Your dad has been around town putting up posters with your picture on. Your brother Philip is blaming himself for not stopping you going out and your little brother Kelvin is really missing you.

"You've got your mobile - just give us a call or send us a text. Every time the doorbell rings or the phone goes I think it's you but it never is."

Officers at Lymington station kept up a steady search of the area including the abandoned Webbs chicken factory in Bath Road where the pair were reported to have been spotted.

Leighann is a pupil at Priestlands School in Lymington. Kerry left that school earlier this year and is due to attend the New Forest Education Centre at Dibden.