Missing Shropshire schoolgirl Sarah Dunn has been found safe and well, detectives revealed today.

The 14-year-old teenager, who attends school in Bridgnorth, sparked a huge police hunt after she vanished while on a shopping trip in the town nearly six weeks ago.

Detectives said the teenager, who lives in Leintwardine, near Ludlow, was found in Leicester last night

Kevin Purcell, Superintendent for Herefordshire division of West Mercia Police, said: “This has been a significant investigation and we have worked closely with colleagues from Dudley Social Services.

“A large number of resources were deployed and Sarah has been returned safely.

“Officers from a number of forces have assisted in the investigation in particular West Midlands and West Mercia Police.”

Earlier this week, the head of Birmingham Central Mosque appealed to any Muslim family that may be sheltering Sarah to let police know she was safe.

Dr Mohammad Naseem spoke out as concern grew for the teenager’s welfare and after detectives appealed to the Asian community for help.

Police said Sarah had taken an interest in Islam prior to going missing and had contacts in the Smethwick and Dudley areas of the West Midlands.

Dr Naseem said at the time: “Whoever she is with should realise that they have a duty to let the authorities know where Sarah is and that she is safe.

“But I would say that if the family she is with fear reprisals for taking her in, then they should get in touch with me in confidence as soon as possible and I will make sure the police know she is OK.”

Sarah, who went to school in Ditton Priors, disappeared during a shopping trip to Bridgnorth on September 28.

She was later spotted in Wellington.

Police released CCTV of the teenager who was spotted in the town centre on the day she went missing as part of their appeal for information.

Sarah’s mother, Christine Dunn, also made a public appeal for her daughter to contact her.

She said at the time: “Please get in touch with me to let me know that you are OK.”

By Sophie Bignall