A MAJOR search for a 14-year-old girl who went missing after making a frantic mobile phone call to her mother was scaled down today.

Police and Bolton Mountain Rescue Team searched fields and farmland to find Nichola Fotherby, of Broomfield Road, Ainsworth, after she phoned her mother on her mobile phone to say she was in trouble in a muddy field.

But police today said Nichola spent the night at a friend's house.

The 14-year-old girl was said to have been at the house of a 15-year-old called Colin, who she met at Bury Interchange at around 6.30pm yesterday.

The girl did not turn up for school today and Bolton Mountain Rescue abandoned their search of fields.

Earlier police, 26 members of the Bolton Mountain Rescue team and the police force helicopter spent the early hours searching a three kilometre stretch of land between Ainsworth and Radcliffe by torchlight.

The mountain rescue team brought in search dogs. Garry Rhodes, team leader for the Bolton Mountain Rescue team, said he had received the call from the police to help with the operation at 1.15am today.

He added: "We have spent the night searching footpaths and other possible routes she may have taken.

"Everyone is hoping she is staying with friends, but we will continue searching until she turns up."

Nichola called her mother at 5pm and the family raised the alarm at 10pm.

As well as the intensive search, officers called the girl's mobile phone and sending text messages, as well as speaking to many of her friends.

The Oldham and Rossendale Mountain Rescue Team have been put on alert and will help if required.

Police have appealed for anyone who knows where Nichola is to contact them.

She is described as 5ft tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white sheepskin coat with fur around the top and dark blue trousers.

Anyone who can help should call Bury police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.