THE Newport schoolgirl who went missing last week has turned up "safe and well".

Ceri Thomas contacted a friend yesterday morning to say that she was coming to his home in Rogerstone.

The man then contacted the police to let them know that Ceri was safe. The 13-year-old arrived in a taxi shortly before noon yesterday.

Ceri disappeared in Caldicot at 8am on May 1, after saying she was going to catch a bus to take her to St Joseph's High School.

The teenager had been staying with her aunt, Catherine Withers, in Firs Road, Caldicot.

In yesterday's Argus, Mrs Withers made an emotional appeal for her niece to get in touch, saying: "Ceri, please ring me just to let me know you're alive."

A police spokeswoman said: "I am pleased to say that she has been found and that she is safe and well."