Search for missing girl continues for second night

Mountain rescue teams joined the search

The search for a young girl reported missing in the Borders is continuing for a second night.

Police said they are growing "increasingly concerned" for the safety of the girl, who was seen at about 17:45 on Sunday.

The search effort has included the use of specialist divers and a helicopter.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Ch Supt Paton added: "As you can imagine we are approaching nearly 24 hours since that last confirmed sighting and we are growing increasingly concerned for [her] safety and her wellbeing.

"Her family are facing the most distressing of times and are longing to know that [she] has been traced safe and well."

Ch Supt Paton said that an extensive number of resources and specialists had been assigned to the search - this included specialist divers, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and mountain rescue teams.

She appealed to the public to help with any information on the girl.

"The community response so far has been really encouraging," she added. "This is a huge operation. We have got all of our resources in this area focused on the priority of tracing [her] safe and well.

"I have no information at this time to suggest that she has come to any specific harm."

Police are also hoping that the girl's mobile phone could help them to trace her.

"We're currently carrying out investigations to understand the last time it was used and the last contact that was there," said Ch Supt Paton.

The public have been asked to contact police with any information or footage that they have which could help with the search.

A portal has also been set up to provide any details which could be of assistance.