Friend of 'Syria-bound' London girls appeals for their safe return

A friend of three missing school girls from East London who are said to be on their way to Syria to join IS has appealed to them to come home.

In an exclusive interview with ITV News, Atlanta Broadbent, a fellow student at Bethnal Green Academy, said she was utterly shocked the girls have disappeared.

Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and a third unnamed 15-year-old girl have been missing since Tuesday. Police are hoping to find the girls in Turkey, before they reach Syria.

Atlanta said the trio are model students and happy girls who are "the hardest working pupils in school".

Atlanta told UK Editor Rohit Kachroo she has been close to all three of the girls within a social circle since they were all in Year 7 together.

She said the girls have never got into trouble before, and often spend their Saturday's studying in school and doing "anything" that would ensure they attain their potential in their education.

Atlanta is particularly concerned that the girls are going to miss the exams they have been studying so hard for.