A DESPERATE Hampshire mum today appealed for her missing daughter to come home - amid fears the teenager has got in with a new crowd.

Kelly Isbell has not been seen for a week after vanishing from her home in the Portswood area of Southampton.

Today, her heartbroken mother, Valerie, made an urgent appeal for the 14-year-old to get in touch.

"Kelly is very friendly and will talk to anyone. Everybody is her best friend within ten minutes of meeting her," said Ms Isbell, of Avenue Road.

"I am concerned she has got in with a new crowd.

"Although she can present the image of being mature and streetwise, really she is a just a little girl who is frightened to go upstairs in the dark."

Ms Isbell added: "My message is just for Kelly to come home. She is missed and loved. "

Police released a photograph of Kelly, described as 5ft 2in, with shoulder-length dark brown curly hair, a freckly complexion and blue-grey eyes.

Det Sgt Scott Chilton, of Southampton Central CID, said: "We are concerned about Kelly because of her age and the fact that she is known to associate with people older than herself. It is imperative we establish she is safe and well. We are carrying out numerous inquiries to find her whereabouts."

* Anyone with information about Kelly is urged to call Southampton Central CID on 0845 045 4545.