The family of a British teenager who has vanished whilst on holiday in Thailand are frantic with worry after Thai police declared her disappearance “a high priority”. Bella May Culley was last seen alive in the Pattaya area on Saturday but hasn’t been in contact with her family since. Relatives have flown out to the country to search for Bella and her mum said they are all desperate to heard that she is safe.

The 18-year-old flew out to the Philippines just after Easter and had been travelling with a friend around the islands. She is believed to have flown to Thailand on around May 3. She was in regular contact with her mum Lyanne Kennedy and was due to speak with her in an scheduled call on Saturday but the family has had no word since and her phone is thought to be switched off.

Bella's father Neil Culley has now flown from the family home in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, out to Thailand with his sister Kerrie Culley to assist police in their search.

Frantic Lyanne told Teesside Live: “She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks. She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3.

“The last message she sent was to me and that was on on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to Facetime me later. That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now.

“I’m just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice.”

The family said police in Thailand and now involved and Bella's case is being treated as “high priority”.

They also revealed that Cleveland Police has also been contacted and anyone who has heard from Bella or has any information is being urged to contact the force.

In a Facebook post the family wrote: “Information on Bella May is now urgently needed on the last known communication with Bella May. The police are now involved over here and in Thailand. “Anything could help even if you think it isn’t relevant, it could be.”

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “We have received a report of a missing person who may be in Thailand. Enquiries are ongoing locally and with other agencies to establish the circumstances. We would appeal for anyone with information on the whereabouts of 18-year-old Bella Culley to contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number quoting ref 084859.”