by LAUREN CROOKS
A WOMAN missing for almost a week after she disappeared after a Saturday night out with friends has turned up safe and well.
A huge hunt was launched for Kirsty McManus, 21, a chef from Newtongrange, Midlothian, after she failed to arrive home or turn up for work.
Lothian & Borders Police launched an appeal for help in finding her after her worried parents contacted them saying it was out of character.
Yesterday the trainee chef was found staying at a flat in the west of the city.
A police spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm that the missing woman Kirsty McManus has been found safe and well at an address in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh.
“At this time we would like to thank the media and public for their assistance in publicising her disappearance”.
Parents Christine, 48, and Mick, 49, had made an emotional appeal through print web and TV urging her to get in touch, admitted they had “feared the worst” after her night out in Leith.
One source close to the drama said last night: “She’s fine and well but mortified – she can’t believe all the publicity that’s been generated.”
* Police in Edinburgh were tonight appealing to revellers attending the Beltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill for help in finding missing Samantha Wright, last seen at a job centre in High Riggs in June.
The 25-year-old is known to have attended the event previously and the 12,000 strongh crowd will be sent a message from police via bluetooth appealing for information.