The families of two runaway Colchester schoolgirls yesterday told of their happiness to have them home.

Fourteen-year-olds Marnie Aldridge and Katherine Barham, both pupils at Philip Morant School, were reunited with their families yesterday after they were found by police in Enfield, Middlesex.

Marnie's father Alfred Aldridge, of Irvine Road, Shrub End, said: "I am just so happy that they are back. It has been a nightmare. But now I am so relieved.

"They are OK and we hope we will be able to sort everything out."

He thanked the media for helping publicise the case and appealing for the girls to get in touch.

Katherine's father Ian Barham, of Dugard Avenue, said: "We are so relieved and glad to have them back. There are problems to iron out but we hope everything will be OK."

They revealed the girls, who disappeared on June 7, were traced after they made a reverse charge phone call to one of their homes.

Police traced the call and were soon at the hostel in Enfield and the girls were taken to Colchester police station.

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