POLICE today scaled down their search for missing Hampshire schoolgirl Rosemary Edwards.

They are now appealing for visitors to the New Forest this weekend to be extra vigilant for anything that might help with their search for the 15-year-old.

Hampshire Police spokesman Alan Smith said: "A lot of people are likely to visit the Forest today and tomorrow and we would urge them to get in touch if they see or find anything that could help."

He added that her family remained "very distraught" at Rosemary's disappearance, which has been described as totally out of character.

The police appeal comes after an 80-strong team of police, firefighters, Forestry Commission staff and volunteers, as well as the police air support unit, carried out an extensive search of five New Forest sites.

These included Dibden Inclosure, an area close to stables where Rosemary went horse riding and places that she used to go dog walking.

Rosemary was last seen in her room of the family home in Wellington Close, Dibden Purlieu, on Tuesday at 10.30pm.

The following day she had been due back at Noadswood School where she was to start in year 11.

Her father David, a 52-year-old electronics consultant, said that he discovered her bed was empty when he went up to her room at 7.40am.

When he switched on her mobile phone he saw some text messages she had sent to three boys she met through Internet chatrooms.

The family has since been in touch with the boys who they have described as "distraught."

In a message to his missing daughter Mr Edwards said: "We love you and can't live without you."

Police have said that Rosemary, who wants to become a vet, was looking forward to returning to school after the summer holidays.

The schoolgirl went missing following a row about losing her part-time job in a local shop.

The family described it as a trivial matter but because Rosemary had lied to her parents they had warned her that she would not be able to spend as much time horse riding.

Rosemary's parents David and Jennifer, brother Robert, 17, and sister Lucy, 19, are all hoping that Rosemary will be found safe and well.