BREAKING: Police launch major hunt for missing schoolgirls, 14 and 15, 'believed to have vanished together'

Police have launched an urgent appeal as they search for two vulnerable schoolgirls who are believed to have vanished together.

Masoumeh, 15, and Leah, 14, failed to return home to their homes in Harrogate, North Yorkshire on Monday evening. Leah is described as being white, 5ft 3in tall, with blonde hair and dark roots up to her shoulders. She was last seen dressed in a blue spaghetti strap dress and beige cropped puffer coat, North Yorkshire Police said.

Masoumeh is of southeast Asian heritage, roughly 5ft 7in tall, with a slim build and long straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a black dress and carrying a grey bag, the force added.

Enquiries and searches are ongoing in the Harrogate area, but the teenagers are also known to have connections in Malton, Leeds and Bradford, and usually travel by bus and train.

Anyone who has seen Masoumeh or Leah, or have any details on their whereabouts are being urged to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 without delay, where they can speak to the Force Control Room, quoting reference numbers 12240169363 and 12240169362.

Any immediate sightings should be reported to 999 to ensure the girls can be confirmed as being safe.

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