A schoolgirl who ran away with a man almost twice her age has been found safe and well.

The couple were discovered in Scotland after a tip-off.

Sandriella Shakir, 16, and Romany Atiya, 30, both originally Sudanese and living in Hollingdean, Brighton, were discovered at the home of a friend of Mr Atiya's last night.

They were interviewed by police who said they were satisfied no crime had been committed.

Police said it was unclear whether Sandriella would be returning home to live with her father, Rimon Fakhori, and mother Nadia Danyocusto.

There were suspicions the girl and Mr Atiya had eloped to marry but police said no ceremony had taken place.

The tip-off came after publicity and Detective Inspector Dave Miller, of Brighton CID, today thanked The Argus and other media.

Sandriella disappeared more than two weeks ago. Her parents had pleaded: "Please come home or let us know you are safe."

Sussex Police checked register offices and hotels round the country.

Sandriella was last seen outside her school, Cardinal Newman in Hove, at 8.30am on May 4, just before her GCSE exams.

She failed to attend classes and the alarm was raised. She struck up a relationship with Mr Atiya, an asylum-seeker, who disappeared at the same time in his car.

Police suspected Sandriella had gone willingly with Mr Atiya but ten days before she disappeared she went into Hove police station to file a complaint saying she was being pestered by a man.

She attended at the station later with a family member for an interview.

At 16, Sandriella is old enough to decide herself where she wanted to live and police said they would be taking no further action.