A TEENAGER was forced to spend the night in a Barrow nightclub after she was accidentally locked in the building.

The 16-year-old girl, who The Mail has chosen not to name, had been at a sixth form social event on Monday evening when the incident occurred.

It is understood she had fallen asleep in the toilets of Manhattan’s in Cavendish Street and was accidentally locked inside at closing time.

The teenager, who had also accidentally left her phone in her friend’s bag, was reported missing to police by her parents at 2.14am when she failed to return home to Ulverston.

Her anxious parents took to social media to appeal for information about her whereabouts appealing for family and friends to be on the look out.

But it was not until the cleaners arrived at the club at 8.30am yesterday that the youngster was found after spending several hours in the dark club alone.

She was reunited her family shortly after she was discovered.

The teen’s parents said she had fallen asleep in the toilets.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incident and how it occurred.

Speaking from the family home in Ulverston, the teen’s mum said: “We are relieved she is home safe and especially thankful to police who were very supportive and acted quickly.”

The family said she did try and get out of the premises but they were secured and therefore unable to.

Officers came and checked on the teen at home, the family said.

A spokesman from Manhattan’s nightclub in Barrow, said: “We unable to say too much at this stage but we had to make sure a young girl got home Okay after finding her in the club after closing time.”

A Cumbria police spokeswoman said an investigation is “ongoing”.

She said: “Police were called at 2:14am yesterday morning, due to concern for the welfare of a 16-year-old female from Ulverston.

“Police enquiries took place to locate the teenager.

“She was located safe and well around 8.30am in a premises on Cavendish Street.

“Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances of the incident.”