Missing teenager Michaela Montague has returned home after a nationwide appeal to trace her sparked by fears that she had disappeared with someone she met via an Internet chatroom.

Michaela, 13, disappeared on Valentine's Day from her home in the Shirley area of Southampton.

The youngster arrived back at the family home in Shirley, Southampton, just before noon on Sunday, appearing safe and well, her family said.

Her mother Sasha Bryant, 30, said she was relieved her daughter had returned, but would not comment further.

Michaela had visited a local internet cafe shortly before she went missing and police feared she had gone off with a man she met.

Popstar appeal

Her disappearance even prompted an appeal by her favourite pop band the Backstreet Boys for her to get in touch with her family.

Detective Inspector Dave Dilly, heading the investigation into the teenager's disappearance, said: "We are all very relieved that Michaela has turned up and that she is apparently safe and well."

Detectives had said a man reported seeing Michaela in the Gosport area near Portsmouth, where the family used to live.

Det Insp Dilly said: "We now need to ascertain what she has been doing during the past four or five days.

"We obviously took this inquiry very seriously owing to the circumstances surrounding Michaela's disappearance."