CONCERNS are mounting for a teenager who disappeared while undergoing treatment for a medical condition and is thought to be travelling around North Yorkshire and the North East.

Police have launched a search for Katie Free, 19, of York, who is believed to be with her boyfriend, Will Gilligan, who is from the Darlington area.

Miss Free was in the care of a treatment centre in Grimsby and went missing in Cleethorpes, at about 12.45pm on Saturday (December 13).

She has not been seen since then and police are growing concerned for her welfare and are appealing to the public to help them locate her as she has an existing medical condition.

It is thought the pair could be travelling together by public transport around various areas of North Yorkshire and the North East, including Darlington, Hartlepool, Durham and Northumbria.

Detective Inspector Jim Fairgrieve, overseeing the search, said: “Katie has been missing before and she was located safely and promptly.

“Katie’s welfare is our main priority and our aim is to achieve that result again and as quickly as possible.

"As time moves on our concern is growing due to her ongoing health issues.

"It is important that we locate Katie so that we can ensure she receives the support she urgently needs.

"We are appealing to Katie to make contact, either with her family or the emergency services at the earliest opportunity.

"We would also ask the public to help us by calling us to inform us if they see Katie and provide us with details of her whereabouts.”

Katie is described as being white and of pale complexion with blue eyes and red hair often worn in a ponytail. She is 5ft 7ins tall and of thin build and wears glasses.

When she was last seen she was wearing black leggings and a burgundy hooded jacket with a white logo on the front.

She was said to be carrying a black tote bag and wearing burgundy shoes.

Katie or anyone with information as to her whereabouts is asked to call Humberside Police on 101 quoting log number 368 of 13 December 2014.