An 11-year-old girl who went missing from her home in Bolton on Thursday evening, has been found safe and well in London, Greater Manchester Police said.

Fears had been growing for Fatuma Kadir over the past 36 hours since the schoolgirl took the train from Bolton to the capital. 

Det Ch Insp Paul Rollinson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are delighted to confirm that Fatuma Kadir has been found safe and well.

"She was found in London earlier today so we are now working to reunite her with her parents, who are as you can imagine, incredibly relieved.

"The last couple of days have been every parent's worst nightmare, so I know they will agree with me when I say a huge thank you to everyone who has shared our appeal to find Fatuma. Your help has been invaluable, so thank you.

"We would now ask that their privacy be respected, so they can be together as a family."

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