POLICE are appealing for help in locating a girl who has gone missing from North Wales and has links to Swindon.

Melissa Bowles, 14, left the Bala Leisure Centre at around 2pm on Thursday and has not been seen since.

Initial police enquiries to find Melissa have borne no results, and officers believe she may have returned to Wiltshire.

She was last seen wearing a purple hooded top, baggy black and white trousers and black walking boots, with a multi-coloured backpack.

Police are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare, and have appealed for her to make contact or anyone who knows her whereabouts to come forward.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "North Wales Police are appealing for help tracing a 14-year-old girl missing from the Bala area.

"Melissa Bowles, originally from Wiltshire, has not been seen since around 2pm on Thursday, August 27, when she left Bala Leisure Centre. All enquiries to locate Melissa have thus far proved fruitless.

"Melissa is described as around 5ā€™5 tall with blonde hair of medium length but normally worn up.

"She was last seen wearing a purple hooded fleece top, baggy black and white trousers, similar to PJs, and brown walking boots. She was also carrying a multi-coloured backpack."

PC Sioned Jones, at Dolgellau Police Station, said: "I am appealing to anyone who has sighted Melissa, or knows of her whereabouts, to contact the police as we are concerned for her welfare.

"Iā€™d also ask Melissa herself to contact police, family or friends to let them know that she is safe and well.

"Anyone with any information should contact North Wales police on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 reference S130675."