MISSING schoolgirl Heather Patterson returned home safely yesterday after an appeal in the BEN.

As reported in last night's paper, 13 year old Heather's anxious parents pleaded for her to get in touch after she went missing on Friday night.

Delighted mum Yvonne said her daughter had turned up at their home in Crescent Road, Great Lever, late yesterday afternoon.

She said: "We don't know for sure what made her come home but it's funny she did it straight after the report in the paper.

"We're just delighted to have her back safe and well. We've still got to talk to her about where she's been."

Meanwhile the search is continuing for 86-year-old Frank Bleakley who disappeared from Seymour House residential home on Monday afternoon.

After a story about the missing man appeared in the BEN last night police had reports of several possible sightings some as far away as Oldham, but they have been unable to confirm them.

Insp Stan Lewin, of Astley Bridge police, says that despite growing fears that Mr Bleakley may not have been able to survive the freezing temperatures of the last three nights if he is outdoors, he remains hopeful that the pensioner may have found shelter and may still be found alive.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact police on Bolton 522466.

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