Gran's plea over missing girl, 13

Nicole was said to be 'happy' just before she went missing

The grandmother of a teenage girl missing for almost four weeks has appealed for her to come forward, amid growing concerns over her safety.

Police have not ruled out that Nicole Broome, 13, has been abducted, after she was last seen visiting relatives in Maesteg, south Wales, on 26 June.

Her grandmother, Joan Padgett, urged her to get in touch.

Nicole failed to turn up when she was due to be returned to a children's home in Herefordshire.

Some 25 police officers are involved in the search for her, and house-to-house inquiries have been carried out.

An arrangement had been made for her to be picked at 1900 BST on 26 June after she had visited a series of relatives in Maesteg.

You are not in any trouble - just please contact someone to let us know that you are safe Nicole's grandmother, Joan Padgett

Then, just before 1730 BST, she told a member of her family - who described her as being happy - that she was "popping out" and has not been seen since.

Over a week later on 6 July, she telephoned her grandmother to say she was OK, and that she would get back in touch in a couple of weeks. She said she was safe and did not want to be found.

Nicole was wearing a short denim mini skirt, a cream/beige smock top and pink flip-flops. She did not have any money or any additional clothing.

Mrs Padgett made a direct plea to her granddaughter at a South Wales Police conference on Tuesday: "We are all worried about you Nicole," she said.

"We really really need to know that you are safe. You are not in any trouble - just please contact someone to let us know that you are safe.

"I just hope that you are safe and will please contact us."

'Vulnerable age'

Nicole was taken to visit relatives by social services. She had been in their care at Canon Pyon in Herefordshire.

Nicole was last seen visiting relatives in Maesteg on 26 June

The detective leading the search for Nicole said she had indicated she would run away, and he appealed for her to contact a relative to say she was OK.

Acting Det Ch Insp Stuart McKenzie said: "Our concerns for Nicole's safety are growing by the day, and we are extremely anxious to hear that she is safe and well.

"We have no information to suggest that she has come to any harm but Nicole is vulnerable due to her age. She left the Maesteg area almost four weeks ago with a lack of clothing and no money.

"She indicated that she was going to run away and clearly she does not want to be found. I would appeal to Nicole to get in touch with a relative to confirm that you are safe and well.

"If there is anyone out there who has had contact with Nicole then I would encourage them to get in touch with the incident room or you can ring Crimestoppers in confidence."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room at Bridgend on 01656 679529 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their local police station.