Runaways reunited with parents

The pair had been in regular contact since the holiday

A runaway 12-year-old and her teenage sweetheart have been reunited with their parents.

Natasha Phillips, 12, from Newport, Isle of Wight, ran away with Ashley Lamprey, 15, from Ackworth, West Yorkshire on Tuesday.

They were found shortly before 1000 BST on Thursday in an HMV store in Milton Keynes after staff called police to say they thought they recognised the couple.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the pair were taken from the town's police station on Thursday afternoon to "an undisclosed location within the Thames Valley" to be reunited with their parents.

I need to just get down there to him now and give him a big hug and a cuddle Karen Lamprey

West Yorkshire Police said Ashley's family were "very relieved" but "shattered".

A spokesman said: "They have had 48 hours without sleep and food and they are just completely tired."

Natasha's mother Michelle said: "I'm just really happy. I want to thank everyone for what they have done. I have spoken to her, she's OK.

"I very relieved, so happy, although I'm still emotional, just glad it's over."

Police believe the young couple had met up in the Northampton area on Tuesday evening after looking at a map to find a town midway between their two homes.

'Very relieved'

Natasha, who met Ashley in Greece earlier this year, was last seen at her Newport home by her mother on Tuesday.

The couple had been in daily phone contact since the holiday and it is thought they planned to meet up several weeks ago.

Speaking outside her home, Ashley's mother Karen said: "I'm just relieved, very relieved."

She joked: "I now want to see the girl that has stolen my son's heart.

"I've spoken to her on the phone and she seems very nice and she thinks that I'm very nice, so I'm looking forward to meeting Tasha."