The mother of a 13-year-old girl missing for five days has made an emotional appeal for her safe return.

Rachel Golden has not contacted her family since she was last seen at their home in Western Road, Jarvis Brook, Crowborough, at 5pm on Monday.

Her mother, Elizabeth, 46, father Michael, 51, and eight-year-old brother William are desperate as she has little or no access to money.

Mrs Golden, a supermarket worker, said: "We just want her to phone home and to tell her if there are any problems they can be worked out.

"Everything feels as if it is on hold at the moment. We're not able to sleep as we are constantly hoping the phone will ring with some positive news."

Mrs Golden described Rachel, a gifted Year 8 pupil at Tonbridge Grammar School and also known as Iona, as "troubled, a bit of a loner and alternative".

She vanished on two previous occasions but turned up safe and well in Peterborough after two nights.

Mrs Golden said: "She has been quite troubled over the last year or so and can be quite argumentative."

Rachel is a heavy metal fan who used to play the flute and violin and excels at most academic subjects.

In particular, she is talented at maths, art, poetry and swimming and hopes to swim the Channel.

Mrs Golden said her daughter had been "very moody" several days before she went missing.

She has several theories about her disappearance and believes she may be in Brighton, Peterborough, Hastings, London or Edinburgh.

She said Rachel may be with a 21-year-old man who runs a burger stall in London.

She said: "I think she told him she was 16 or 17 and he must have been pretty shocked to have found out she was just 13.

"He sounds quite nervous and has said he hasn't seen her."

Mrs Golden said the family, including Rachel, were due to fly out on a two-week holiday to Majorca on August 13.

She said: "Obviously we won't go if she's not back. Like most teenagers she is fairly moody but we went to Italy last year and she seemed to enjoy it so we're hoping she will be back by then.

"Our message to her is that we and her friends are desperate for news she is safe and well. Even if she doesn't want to call herself in case we trace her call, that's okay.

"If she has access to email she can email the Missing Persons Helpline or get someone else to call to say she is safe."

Rachel is 5ft 4in, of solid build with layered brown hair, sometimes worn in a ponytail.

She has brown eyes and a fresh complexion and is believed to be carrying a Jeep bag.

She wears two earrings in her left ear and three in her right. She was last seen wearing a black hooded top with a Slipknot motif, blue jeans and brown trainers.

Det Insp Colin Dowle said: "I am appealing to Rachel, who is not in any trouble, to make contact with police or family members or for anyone who knows her whereabouts to contact us.

"We are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare and need to establish she is safe and well."

Anyone with any information should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.