THE family of a teenager missing for two nights have said they are living a "waking nightmare".

Gaia Pope, 19, lives in Langton Matravers, but was last seen at an address in Manor Gardens on Morrison Road in Swanage at around 4pm.

Police have released a brief section of CCTV footage which shows Gaia in Morison Road at around 3.39pm (see picture gallery).

She was said to be wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers.

She has severe epilepsy, which causes her to suffer seizures, and it is not known if she has her medication with her. She also does not have her phone with her.

One of Gaia's sisters, Clara Pope-Sutherland, 21, told the Daily Echo on Tuesday evening: "We just want her to come home.

"She's a home bird. She would never do anything like this.

"She's just not the kind of person to go off like this - she'd always let us know what was happening.

"That's the most concerning thing of all.

"We're so worried and we just want to know she's safe."

Detectives searching for Gaia say they are "very concerned" for her welfare. A number of searches have been carried out in the area since she was reported missing.

Coastguard officers and the NPAS helicopter are involved.

Members of Gaia's family have pleaded with her to come home.

Marienna Pope, another of Gaia’s sisters, said: “This is a waking nightmare for Gaia’s family but we are so grateful to our community, the volunteer coastguard and all the people who’ve been out searching for her.

"There’s a lot of ground to cover, so anyone watching - please help us get the word out."

She added: "Gaia, if you hear this, we love you with all our hearts.”

In a statement released on Wedneday evening, other members of the family said: “We are all frantic with worry Gaia, and are desperate to know you are ok.

"You are not in any trouble and we just want to know you are somewhere safe.

"Please get in touch with someone to let us know where you are so we can help you.”

Gaia is described as white, five feet seven inches tall, of medium build and with long, mousey blonde hair. She had recently had red lowlights and lighter blonde highlights added to her hair.

Hundreds of people have searched areas of Swanage, Poole and Bournemouth, with a spreadsheet of locations visited available on Facebook page Find Gaia.

Helpers have scoured car parks, cafes and the coastline.

Volunteers for the Swanage Coastguard have released a statement urging members of the public searching for Gaia to stay safe.

"Both Swanage and St Albans Coastguard Teams have been searching this afternoon for Gaia," a spokesperson said on Wednesday night.

"In total, 15 coastguard volunteers conducted a thorough search from Peveril Point and the Downs up the coast path and undercliff to Durlston, and from there up to Anvil Point and onto Dancing Ledge.

"After more than six hours, the teams were stood down by the police and have returned to base to eat and rest and await further instructions.

"We understand that members of the public are continuing to search this evening and we would urge you to take great care and please stay away from cliff edges and coast paths.

"These areas have been thoroughly searched today and nobody wants to see further missing persons or injuries etc as a result of searching unfamiliar terrain in the dark."

This was backed by James Instance, duty controller for HM Coastguard, who said: "We understand the concerns of members of the public who want to help the emergency services with the search operation.

"However, the coastal environment can be very high risk, and we would ask people not to conduct any searches on the cliffs or coastlines as they could get into difficulty themselves.

"Please be assured that the coastguards - who are properly equipped and trained to reach these areas – are currently carrying out extensive searches along the coastline."

Gaia's family have set up two bases in Swanage, from which they are handing out fliers and helping to co-ordinate search parties.

Inspector Andy Edwards, of Dorset Police, said: “We are doing everything possible to try and locate Gaia and our extensive search efforts are continuing.

“Our thoughts are with her family at what must be a very difficult time and we are doing everything we possibly can to support them.

“I would urge any members of the public who have information as to her where Gaia could be, or who see a woman matching the description given, to contact police immediately.

"We would also urge anyone who may have dashcam footage from their vehicles covering major routes in Swanage over the last 48 hours to review it to see if there are any sightings of someone matching Gaia’s description.

“Finally, I would appeal to Gaia directly, if she sees this appeal, to contact us or your family as we all want to ensure that you are safe and well.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Gaia's whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 9:179.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.