A FRIEND of missing schoolgirl Lauryn Hill has exchanged texts with the teenager, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Arabella Begg, 17, told how her close friend had sent a message yesterday (Feb 4)saying she needed time on her own but could be home by tomorrow.

The news came as a huge relief to distraught mum Helen Hill as it was the first indication that Lauryn was alive and well since she disappeared on her way to school on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mrs Hill of Bays Road, Pennington, has renewed her appeal for her daughter to come home.

Her message for her 16-year-old daughter was: "If you've got any problems, let's talk about them."

She spoke as police today continued their search for Lauryn, who missed her bus from Brockenhurst to Highcliffe School.

Arabella said: "I got a text message from her and she said she wants to be left alone.

"I asked her about coming home and she said she might come back on Friday. She is one of my best friends and we all want to see her back here."

Mrs Hill said: "We all miss her so much and we just want her to come home. If she has got any problems, we want to talk to her about them, but I'm not aware that there are any problems.

"She seemed happy enough when she went off to school on Monday morning.

Detectives have appealed to anyone with information on Lauryn's whereabouts to contact them at Lyndhurst CID on 0845 045 4545.