The two Cardiff teenagers who triggered a nationwide hunt after going missing on New Year's Eve have been located by police safe and well.

The breakthough came after Lisa Hobbs, 13, rang home on Thursday to say that she and her boyfriend Ben Hemmens, 15, were in Scotland.

Lisa and star pupil Ben Hemmens, both of the Ely district of Cardiff, ran away eight days ago because they were afraid of being parted.

A police hunt was launched, and the youngster's parents said they were worried sick by the disappearance.

The pair were last seen with rucksacks on December 29 at Cardiff Central railway station.

Police have been swamped with phone calls from people across the UK claiming to have spotted the couple.

Phone call ends search

The search ended when Lisa rang on her mobile phone on Thursday afternoon to say that they were both safe and well.

Detective Inspector Steve Tooby, leading the South Wales Police investigation, said Lisa's mother was relieved to hear her daughter's voice.

He added: "Lisa called her mother, her aunt and her grandmother and told them that she and Ben were fine.

"She did not say why they decided to run away but did say they were staying somewhere in Scotland."

Lisa refused to say how they had travelled to Scotland but confirmed they were together.

The pair are now back with their families in Cardiff, and police said they were waiting to interview them after they had rested