A SCHOOLGIRL from Highworth who was reported missing earlier today has been found safe and well. 

A major search operation was launched when 15-year-old Emily Henslowe failed to turn up to Highworth Warneford School this morning.

Wiltshire Police officers, a helicopter and volunteers from Wiltshire Search and Rescue (WILSAR) worked together into the evening in an attempt to find her. 

WILSAR set up a command centre in the rear car park of Highworth Police Station and search teams were sent out to comb the town.

At 7.30pm, around 25 members of the public began to gather outside Highworth Police Station to assist with the search.

There was great relief among the crowd when they were given the good news and told that their help would not be required.

News of Emily's disappearance spread quickly on social media - the initial appeal for information was shared more than 1,800 times on the Swindon Advertiser website alone.

Confirming the good news that Emily had been found, a spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "We would like to thank everyone who assisted in the search for her, as well as those who shared our appeal on social media."