Two Colchester schoolgirls who sparked a police search when they ran away almost a month ago have been reunited with their families.

Police last night found Marnie Aldridge and Katherine Barham at a hostel in Enfield in Middlesex.

They were brought back to Colchester police station and reunited with their families.

They were not arrested but officers have spoken to them to assess whether they came to any harm.

Social services are due to become involved and talk to them.

The 14-year-olds, both pupils at Philip Morant School, Colchester, had not been seen since boarding a train to London on June 7.

For more than three weeks their families have been enduring sleepless nights. Their fathers scoured the streets of Soho in search of them.

A series of appeals for them to get in touch was issued by the police.

Marnie, of Irvine Road, Shrub End, and Katherine, of Dugard Avenue, were today both said to be safe and well.

Sgt Clive Walls, of Colchester police, said: "They are well in broad terms. They were picked up in Enfield by police at 7pm yesterday.

"Social services will get involved and make arrangements for the girls to be put back with their families."

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