A TEENAGER who went missing for five days has been found in a police search.

Harini Payagala, 17, was found by a Police Community Support Officer a few minutes ago safe and well near Homebase on Cainscross Road in Stroud.

She went missing on Friday, September 16, sparking a major police search across the district.

Harini was originally from Richmond in Surrey but had been staying in the Stroud area to receive treatment for an eating disorder.

Police were very concerned as she had gone missing before.

Inspector Phil Offord said: "We are delighted to be able to relay this good news and would like to thank the local community for the immense amount of support we’ve had over the last few days.

"To everybody that ‘tweeted’ or used Facebook to appeal for help finding her we say a big thank you."