Lauren Yates
Lauren Yates: missing for almost two weeks Facebook

The mother of teenager Lauren Yates, who has been missing for almost two weeks, is urging her to let her family know that she is safe.

Lauren Yates was last seen on Tuesday, 23 June, in Old Thomas Lane, Knotty Ash, Liverpool.

The 17-year-old has links to the local Merseyside areas of Wirral, Runcorn and Widnes, as well as Shropshire. She has not made contact with her family or friends and they are increasingly worried about her welfare.

The teenager's mother, Nichola Yates, told the Liverpool Echo: "We just want her to know she's not in any trouble. She needs to call someone to let them know she's safe.

"She needs to get in touch with someone – anyone.

"No-one has seen her or heard from her in nearly two weeks. I've tried everyone I can think of.

"It's starting to sink in a bit now. She's been missing for a night before when she stayed at a friend's and didn't contact anyone but never anything like this."

Lauren is white with a pale complexion, of slim build, with blue eyes and around 5ft 4ins tall. She has straight shoulder-length straight blonde/light brown hair. Her family say she may have dyed her hair red.

Lauren was wearing a pink top, black skirt and black tights when she was last seen. She has a tattoo of Mickey Mouse and the name "Steffan" on her left wrist.

Nichola said: "The fact the police can't locate her is a real worry.

"She has got connections to Wirral, she used to live there and she's got quite a few friends over there. She's also got connections to Liverpool and Widnes. There's no sign, people have been out looking for her in their own areas.

"She needs to know everyone is really, really worried and we just want her to tell us she's OK."

Merseyside police are urging Lauren or anyone who has seen her since 23 June to contact 101 or Missing People on 116 000.