A 14-year-old girl has been found dead in a beauty spot park, as police confirmed they have launched a murder investigation.

Schoolgirl Lilly Jones was reported missing by her worried family before police discovered a body late on Monday night.

The force said the teenager's family have been informed after the body was discovered in the Duffryn Park area of the former mining village of Blaina, near Ebbw Vale, South Wales.

Worried locals had been searching for Lilly after she was last seen at 6.50pm on Saturday in the high street of the 4,000-population village.

Drones were sent up as part of the police search before the grim discovery was made around half a mile from where she was last seen near a waterside walk in the park, known as Pilgrims Park.

Locals said Lilly's phone had been turned off from around 6.30pm Saturday and her last known sighting was 20 minutes later.

Her mother Gemma desperately appealed: 'Please bring my baby back home.'

A spokesperson said: 'Gwent Police has launched a murder investigation after the body of a female was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on Monday 22 June, at about 10.10pm.

'Formal identification has yet to take place, however the family of Lilly, aged 14, who had been reported as missing to Gwent Police has been informed.'

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas, said: 'We understand that this will cause distress and concern amongst our communities.

'We have a large police presence in the area at this time as enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the death. 

'Our officers are here and available for you to speak to.

'We encourage anyone with information to please speak with us or you can contact us on the usual channels.'

'Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.'

One woman villager said she had seen Lilly 'outside the kebab shop' on Saturday evening and it 'looked initially like she was waiting for someone.'

She said: 'I told her that she looked lovely. She crossed over and walked through the church yard.'

A previous appeal from Gwent Police to find Lilly said: 'We're appealing for information to find Lilly, 14, who is missing.

'Lilly, from Blaina, was last seen in High Street, Blaina at around 6.50pm on Saturday 20 June.

'She is described as white, around 5ft 6 inches tall, with a medium build and long black hair.

'Lilly was last seen wearing a long black dress and black sandals.

'She has known links to areas in Brynmawr.'

This is breaking news, more follows.