THE anguished mother of a runaway 15-year-old girl said on Wednesday: "I fear a knock on the door to say my daughter is dead."

Janet Gouldson fears her missing daughter Louise will be lured into the sex trade and will die on the streets of Bolton.

The teenager - who has not been seen since July 2 - has been running away from her home in Great Lever since she was 12.

Today, her mother admitted she was prepared for the day a police officer would call to reveal the worst has happened. She fears Louise will be the "next Carly Bateman".

Runaway Carly was murdered in Bolton's red light district two years ago. She was 17 and used prostitution to fund her heroin addiction.

Miss Gouldson, of Settle Street, Bolton, said: "Louise is streetwise but not lifewise. She is naive and is so friendly she will talk or go off with anyone.

"There are a lot of dangerous people out there willing to take advantage of young girls. She does not realise the dangers."

Miss Gouldson said there was no evidence that Louise has been working on the streets of Bolton, although she had been seen in the red light district.

Miss Gouldson, aged 36, who lives with her partner Paul Carroll, a long-distance lorry, and her 13-year-old son Andrew, said: "We don't know where she sleeps at night and how she manages to feed herself. If someone offers her shelter and comfort, she will go with them.

"Pimps and drug pushers prey on vulnerable girls like Louise. She is a bonny girl and I am terrified she will be tempted into that kind of lifestyle.

"She is a free spirit who does not like following rules or being controlled. Running away is her way of gaining control over her life. There is nothing I can do to make her stay, but I wish she would just keep in touch with us so we know she is safe."

Despite running away from home repeatedly, Mrs Gouldson says she is very close to Louise.

"It is strange. She is missing more times than she is here. When she does come home, we go shopping together and talk, like other mums and daughters," she said.

"She first ran away when she was 12 and we were out of our minds with worry. The police brought her back and she ran away again. It is the same story over and over.

"I have had to stop work as a secretary because of the stress.

"We want Louise to know that we are all missing her. I would ask her to please let us know she is safe and well. If she does not want to speak to us, please push a note through the door."

During the last 12 days, she has been seen several times in Bolton town centre and in the Halliwell area.

The teenager is described as 5ft 5ins and has long brown mousey hair with red streaks.

She was wearing blue denim jeans, a white and pink top, white Umbro trainers and was carrying a grey and silver handbag.

Sgt Ian Coop, of Bolton police, said: "We are desperate for Louise to get in touch. We want to ensure that she is safe and well."