POLICE hunting a 15-year-old girl missing from her home for nearly a month are extending their search across the region.

Louise Gouldson was last seen at her home on Settle Street, Great Lever, on Friday, July 2.

After a string of sightings in Bolton, she was captured on CCTV in Manchester city centre and it is feared she may have strayed further away from home.

Police have circulated the pictures across the North-west in a hope that someone will have spotted her.

A team of officers is now searching for Louise as her parents anxiously wait for news.

There is evidence she may have visited the Cheetham Hill area and may have travelled to Bury, as she was once found there before when she had gone missing.

Chief Inspector Janet Jones from Bolton police said: "Although Louise appeared to be unharmed when she was seen on CCTV we are still extremely worried about her safety and welfare.

"The image was taken near a construction sight in the Shude Hill area of Manchester near The Printworks entertainment complex.

"It was around 10.30am in the morning and the area would have been busy with shoppers or people working nearby.

"We have a team of officers working to find Louise and her parents are desperate to have her back safe and well.

"I would urge Louise or anyone who knows where she is to contact the police at Bolton to let us know she is OK."

Police say Louise has been missing before but never for this long and never without making contact with friends or family.

Her terrified parents told the Bolton Evening News two weeks ago that they fear she could be lured into the sex trade.

Although there is no evidence she has been working as a prostitute, she has been spotted in Bolton's red light area.

She has been described as white, 5ft 5ins tall with long mousey brown hair with red streaks.

At the time she went missing she was wearing blue denim jeans, a white and pink top, white Umbro trainers and was carrying a grey and silver handbag, however it is believed she has obtained other clothes since then.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bolton police on 0161 856 5593 or 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.