Mum's anguish 15 years after Charlene Downes vanished in Blackpool

The mother of a missing schoolgirl feared murdered admits she still hopes she'll walk through the door and will never stop trying to find her.

Charlene Downes, was just 14 when she disappeared from her home in Blackpool 15 years ago this week.

Her mother Karen has written a book detailing the family's never-ending anguish as a warning to other parents.

Unable to have a funeral for her daughter, she holds memorials on every anniversary of her disappearance.

Charlene's disappearance sparked the largest investigation in Lancashire Police’s history.

Mrs Downes said police in 2003 initially 'dismissed' Charlene as a runaway.But despite a criminal trial and a £100,000 reward, Mrs Downes said they were no nearer to finding out how and why she died or finding her body.

Her book, 'Sold In Secret', tells her mother's story in full for the first time.