Joanne Shepherd, from Dedridge. has not returned home since she left her house at lunchtime last Saturday.

Joanne is 5’5” tall, with a slim build and dark, shoulder length hair,

She was last seen wearing a dark grey coat, with a hood and duffel coat style toggle fasteners and the name “ BENCH” embroidered on the Velcro neck fastening.

She was also wearing a pink tracksuit top with zip fastener and blue tracksuit bottoms as well as grey knee length Wellington boots with a multicoloured zig zag pattern.

A police spokesman said: ”Joanne is known to frequent the Almondvale and MacArthur Glen Shopping outlets in Livingston along with her friends, whom we are in the process of speaking to.

“There is the possibility she is residing with those friends whose parents believe she has been given permission to stay with them during the school holidays. We are therefore requesting parents to speak to their children about Joanne, in particular those who attend James Young High School where Joanne is in her second year.

“We also concerned about the weather conditions, should she be staying in other areas of the town that could give her only temporary shelter and therefore anyone who has seen Joanne since Boxing Day should contact the police immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Livingston Police Station on 01506-431200 or their nearest police station.