Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a vulnerable teenage girl who went missing more than a week ago.

Melissa Attard, 14, was last seen on Monday, October 29, just after 3pm when she was dropped off in Bexleyheath Broadway, Bexleyheath.

The schoolgirl was possibly seen in Wandsworth at about 9pm on Monday, however the sighting is unconfirmed.

She was due to meet her mother at Lewisham railway station at 9pm where her mother had arranged to collect her.

Melissa is described as white, approx. 5' 5" tall with a medium build and long dark brown/auburn hair.

She was last seen wearing a black long sleeve top, a tan bodywarmer, black leggings and knee-high boots - she was also carrying a black clutch bag.

A spokesman for the Met said: "Melissa is known to adopt a number of identities leading people who meet her to believe she is an independent young woman, sometimes posing as a mother or hairdresser.

"Given her confident manner, people do not realise she is in fact 14 years old but her family are desperate to know that she is safe having heard nothing from her since she went missing.

"She has gone missing before and is known to frequent various boroughs across London including Southwark, Lewisham, Lambeth, Islington and Leytonstone.

"She will often ask for lifts to different areas, ask for money or ask to charge her mobile phone.

"Melissa exchanges phone numbers with random people as she meets them but often these new friends cannot again reach her after their first encounter."

The teenager is known to frequent various areas of south London including Peckham, Camberwell, Greenwich, Catford, Lewisham, Bexleyheath and Stockwell.

She is also known to have visited Camden and Stratford but could be in other areas of London.

Police are urging the public and particularly commuters to keep an eye out for this missing teenager and to contact police immediately if she is seen on a train or bus.

Officers from Bexley Missing Persons Unit are appealing for anyone with information, not matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to contact them on 0208 284 9111.

If you know where Melissa is, please call 999.