Missing Megan Talks To Mum On Phone

Missing schoolgirl Megan Stammers has spoken to her parents on the phone after being found with her maths teacher in Bordeaux, France.

She is expected to be reunited with her family soon and should return to the UK either tonight or tomorrow, sources said.

Sussex Police said French officers swooped on the pair after three sightings were made of them in the southwest of France.

Chief Inspector Jason Tingley revealed details of the climax to a week-long international hunt at a press conference in Lewes, Sussex.

He said police tracked down Megan, 15, and Forrest, 30, after a number of tip-offs from the public following a TV appeal on French television.

French media reported earlier that the pair were stopped as they made their way - hand-in-hand - to a work-related appointment in the centre of Bordeaux.

It is understood Forrest had recently been interviewed for a bar job.

The married teacher was held on suspicion of child abduction and Megan initially taken into police protection.

Forrest is due to be taken from a police station in Bordeaux to the city's Palais de Justice, where he will be officially notified of his arrest.

He is due to attend a formal court hearing on Tuesday morning and is likely to be held in custody until then, sources said.

A European Arrest Warrant had been issued for Forrest - a part-time musician - earlier this week.

The pair, who left Britain on a cross-Channel ferry on September 20, were found as "a direct result of media coverage in France", French police said.

Megan's stepfather Martin Stammers, who last night made an emotional appeal for her return on BBC's Crimewatch, said he was "thrilled to bits".

"The relief, the outpouring of love from everyone is just amazing. We are just so, so happy.

"As time goes on you despair even more, but knowing Megan, knowing the girl she is, I always had that belief she was strong enough within herself to stay safe and well."

Forrest's parents - Jim and Julie Forrest - said in a statement: "We are pleased that Megan and Jeremy have been found safe and well.

"This has been an ordeal for all the families concerned. We would like to thank Sussex and the French police as well as the British media for their assistance.

"We are relieved that the search is finally over and everyone can now focus on a safe and secure return for them both."

It is believed the pair had travelled to the southwestern city by train after leaving Forrest's car in Paris.

They were picked up today on La Rue Sainte Catherine at 12.15pm, UK time.

The schoolgirl was said to be "safe and well" but is expected to undergo a French police medical examination before she is able to return to her family.

Megan's mother Danielle Wilson was seen leaving her house in Eastbourne, Sussex, in a hurry following the news of her daughter's discovery.

Terry Boatwright, headteacher of Bishop Bell School, where Megan was taught by Forrest, said: "Everyone in the Bishop Bell School community is delighted that Megan has been found and can now be reunited with her family, who must be so relieved.

"Throughout the last week, finding Megan has been everyone's priority and a major focus of our thoughts and prayers in school.

"Clearly, much needs to be done now to support Megan, and her family, as they seek to return to some sort of normality and we will do all we can to play our part in that."

East Sussex Council said it is investigating what happened.

On a Facebook page set up to help the search, well-wishers expressed their relief at the news Megan would be returning home.

Craig Michael Warner said: "Great news so pleased was all I could think about."

Derek John Wroe said: "Excellent news. Very happy indeed for the family in what must have been a horrific nightmare. Wishing the Stammers all the best."

Julia Rees said: "So glad Megan is safe and well ... It is going to be a very bumpy road ahead but with all this overwhelming love and support she'll be fine."

Under French law, a 15-year-old is not considered a minor in sexual terms.

However Forrest could be deemed to have committed a crime in France if he is found to have abused the position of authority he had as Megan's teacher.

Megan left her home in Walton Close, Eastbourne, at around 4.30pm last Thursday, telling her mother she was going to stay overnight at a friend's house.

Later that day CCTV recorded Forrest's black Ford Fiesta heading to Dover with Megan in the passenger seat.

The following morning Megan's mother received a text message from Bishop Bell C of E School to say that Megan had not attended any lessons that day and police were called.