THE family of a Weymouth woman who went missing six years ago are celebrating this Christmas knowing she is safe and well.

Ballerina and yoga teacher Cheryl Lesley Franks, 43, left her family in August 2005 saying she was going to a yoga retreat in Australia but failed to make contact after that.

Her family said Cheryl had travelled around the world for her work but would always keep in touch via email, phone calls, letters and postcards.

They said they had always been very supportive of her career and all they had wanted was to make sure she was safe. Last year they appealed for Cheryl to ‘Come Home for Christmas’ as part of a Dorset Echo campaign.

It was a chance phone call to Cheryl’s former employer that finally gave the family peace of mind.

Cheryl’s brother Jason Franks, 42, said the news had come a huge relief for him and his whole family.

Mr Franks, of Chickerell Road, said: “My Brother Adrian called an old employer of Cheryl’s who she used to work for in Washington and asked if they had heard anything from her.

“And they said they were on holiday together at the time in Cape Cod. It was just by chance otherwise we would have been searching.

“They said she was married with a boy and a girl.”

He added: “It was just such a relief.”

The family discovered that Cheryl was now married with two children and is believed to be living in Holland where her husband works.

They have sent her a message and hope to have a reply soon.

Mr Franks said: “It’s just a huge relief. Of course we would like her to come over and for her husband and children to meet the family but it is up to her.”

Mr Franks said that it was enough that they knew she was okay.

He said: “It’s a relief she’s alive and well and she’s got a family and her life now.”

Cheryl’s mother Joyce Franks said: “I’m just happy that she is safe and well and happy.

“All I wanted was to know she was safe and well.”

Mr Franks said he would be joined by his brother and parents over the Christmas period and they were looking forward to spending it together safe in the knowledge that Cheryl was safe.

Send a message home this Christmas

THE Missing People charity aims to provide a link between families and missing loved ones.

Director of Services Jo Youle said that for families waiting for news of missing relatives it was very difficult.

She said: “They constantly think about what happened. Are they living a new life? Are they alive?”

She said the organisation provides a confidential Message Home service where vulnerable people could pass a message to their families or friends.

Mrs Youle said: “We have a service for people that are missing. Often it’s a cry for help when they can’t cope.”

She added: “We respect their right to be missing but this gives them a way to reconnect with their family.”

Missing People can be contacted confidentially on 0800 700 740 or via text at 80234 or on email messagehome@missingpeople.org.uk