A journalism student has launched an emotional appeal to find her sister who went missing three days after moving to a new city.

Megan Mosley, who studies at the University of Derby, says her family are “fearful whenever the phone rings” following the disappearance of her 17-year-old sister Charlotte last Tuesday.

Charlotte, pictured above left, had moved to Derby from Burton upon Trent on Saturday 22 October, but was reported missing after her mother Shelley discovered her bedroom empty.

She had taken just the family cat and only the clothes she was wearing.

Megan, 19, told the Derby Telegraph: “We just want her home. This is terrible. When we moved she was very unhappy and was adamant she wanted to go back to Burton. That’s where all her friends are.

“But, the night before she went missing, she seemed better and happier. It seemed like it was just a teenage tantrum. I’m sure she would have gotten over it.

“She’s never done this before and it’s worrying because, apart from the cat, she didn’t take anything with her. She’s wearing the same clothes she would have gone out in. It’s really worrying and shocking.”

Megan believes her sister was planning on coming back, adding the situation had become “traumatic”.

She said: “Because she took the cat and nothing else, I think she was going to come home. But it’s been a long time now.”

“All sorts of things go through your mind. We’re sat here fearing the phone ringing. I just want to know she’s safe. We want to let her know that she’s not in any trouble. Just please let us know you’re okay.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Staffordshire police on 101, quoting incident number 160 of Wednesday 26 October.