A nationwide hunt for missing 12-year-old Tia Sharp has found no trace of her in the six days since she went missing.

One hundred police officers and hundreds of volunteers are desperate to find Tia after she went missing on Friday afternoon.

The 12-year-old who lives in Pollards Hill, Merton, was visiting her grandmother Christine Sharp at The Lindens, New Addington.

She told her grandmother's partner Stuart Hazell, 37, was going to the Whitgift Centre to buy shoes at around 12pm and has not been seen since.

Her grandmother Mrs Sharp, who was at work during the day last Friday, said: "Tia promised that she would be home by six.

"I’ve still got her dinner in the oven. It’s pizza and chips and I can’t bear to take it out."

The 47-year-old has she could not understand why her granddaughter has not been seen after she left her council house.

The schoolgirl had about £10 in cash with her, but did not have her Zip card - a child’s Oyster card, or the mobile phone she was borrowing from her mum.

Her grandmother added: "I don't know how she was going to pay for the bus because she lost her bus pass ages ago."

Police have said they have found no trace of Tia on CCTV, but are investigating 55 unsubstantiated sightings of her and have searched homes and gardens across New Addington.

On Monday evening, Tia's parents led family and friends in a candel lit procession from her grandmother's home to a nearby bus stop.

Tealight candles have also been placed along the path leading up to the house, a gesture the family hope will help guide her home.

In an emotional doorstep appeal, Tia's devastated step-dad David Niles said he just wanted his daughter back.

The 29-year-old builder said: "I just want my little girl home.

"I haven't slept for four days nor has my girlfriend. Natalie is in bits, I am in bits we are all in absolute bits, how would it feel if it was your girl?

"I last saw her on Thursday morning when I was going to work. She was with her friend on the couch, her friend had stayed the night before.

"I know I'm not her real dad but I've been there since day dot. She's my little girl and I want her back.

"I have fed her, bathed her-I just want my little girl home.".

DCI Nick Scola, who is leading the investigation, said although Tia has been missing for five days he is hopeful her officers will find her alive and well.

He said: "She told her grandmother's partner she was going out; he was the last person to see her that we are aware of at this time. I am not going to speculate over things, it is still a missing persons inquiry."

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0208 721 4005 or Missing People on 116 000 quoting reference 12MIS025216